i stand here and
staunchly declare
it's all your fault

i blame you
for my courage
for by watching you
take on a challenge
that made me quake
i learned how
to bravely forge ahead

i blame you
for my peace
for by watching you
handle your struggles
with a calm assurance
that you do not
walk alone
i learned how
to place my troubles
at His feet and
then let them go

i blame you
for my confidence
for by watching you
as you placed your
trust unflinching
in my hands
i learned to
believe in myself

so, you see
my dear friend
it's all your fault
and i blame you
for just by knowing you
i am a better person
and you will never
really know how much
you have given me
for i cannot measure
courage
peace
confidence
except in the quality
of life i now have

and i wish all of this
and tenfold more
to you and yours

06/19/2007