Today my heart cries for my sister's pain.
I know her by experience; I don't have to share her genetics or know her name.
I feel her; I am inextricably connected to her.
She should pride herself in sleeping each night.
She made it through another day of fighting for her life.
Criticized so harshly for the ways she copes
when it is a daily miracle that she doesn't implode.
Why hasn't she collapsed under that pressure, guilt, and shame?
How does she breathe constantly choked by pain?
How does she managed to smile?
She's known sorrow, intimately, since she was a child.
Have you heard her? How does she still have a voice and song?
How does that woman keep on keeping on?
She is a wonder.
My sister, you are wonder, beautiful and amazing.
You inspire awe.
I will praise you for your strength until you realize that you're strong.
I will admire your will until you are assured that you are powerful.
I will celebrate your presence until you accept that you are worthy.
I will use my voice to refute every lie you ever believed about yourself.
And, one day it will happpen.
One day, my heart will rejoice for my sister's freedom.
Until that day, for her, I'll keep praying, hoping, and believing.
