In Philadelphia’s streets, where memories flow,
I think of you, Grandpa, and the times we used to know.
With chocolate sodas in hand, we’d stroll along,
Sharing stories and laughter, where we both belonged.

Hershey’s in Coca-Cola, your sweet treat of choice,
Echoes of your laughter, still ring in my voice.
Though distance kept us apart for much of the way,
The few times we met are treasures I replay.

Your wisdom and kindness, though glimpsed from afar,
Left a mark on my heart, like a guiding star.
I miss you dearly, but your love will stay,
In my heart, forever, guiding my way.

Dear younger self, amidst the labyrinth of youth,
Where uncertainties clouded paths, obscured truth,
You wandered through the years, searching deep,
Seeking identity, secrets to keep.

In the echoes of doubt and questioning gaze,
You found strength, navigating life’s maze,
Discovering within, a steadfast belief,
Not in heavens above, but in earthly relief.

From hesitant whispers to confident voice,
You embraced being atheist, making your choice,
Rejecting the dogma that others proclaimed,
Finding solace in reason, where truths remained.

In the mirror’s reflection, you faced your own face,
Accepting your disability, with dignity and grace,
Learning that difference does not mean less,
But a unique perspective, a strength to confess.

Happiness blossomed in the garden of your brain,
Not in falsehoods taught, but in being whole,
You learned to breathe freely, unburdened and light,
Embracing your stance, standing firm in your right.

Dear younger me, in the tapestry of time’s weave,
You discovered the power to believe,
In yourself, in your journey, unswayed by fear,
A woman of substance, your path crystal clear.

In a world where convictions often clash,
You found peace in embracing your own path,
An atheist, disabled, woman, proud and true,
In the vast expanse of life, embracing all of you.

In his arms, the world aligns just right,
A place where heartbeats synchronize in the quiet night.
The hustle fades, the stress melts away,
In his arms, it’s easier to face the day.

Under open skies or beneath the city lights,
His embrace cuts through the coldest nights.
A gentle strength, a quiet might,
With him, even the darkest moments become light.

Time softens its relentless march,
In his arms, there’s no need to guard my heart.
A soft touch, a steady hand,
In his hold, I truly understand.

Each worry lifts, each fear retreats,
In his arms, life feels complete.
He’s the calm when life gets tough,
In his arms, I have more than enough.

No place else I’d rather be,
Than here with him, where I’m free to be me.
All that’s gentle, all that’s warm,
I find right here, safely wrapped in his arms.

In the vast silence where words once failed,
Among shadows where fears prevailed,
You, so young with steps unsure,
A silent fighter, pure and demure.

Born into a world unkind, you struggled to find your voice,
A journey not chosen, but imposed without a choice.
Nonverbal, delayed, they labeled you, placing limits they saw fit,
But even without words, your spirit refused to quit.

Taunted and teased, a playground’s cruel jest,
The bullies and mockers putting courage to the test.
Harsh boundaries crossed, a young heart betrayed,
In those silent battles, your resilience was displayed.

From the depths of these trials, your mission took root,
A desire to shield others from the oppressor’s boot.
With every tear shed, a resolve grew within,
To fight for those silenced, a war you could win.

Now, your voice is finding its mighty roar,
Speaking out for justice, opening new doors.
Each injustice you faced fuels your fervent plea,
Advocating for change, setting the silenced free.

The pain once endured now powers your cause,
Championing rights without a pause.
With each step forward, you reclaim your might,
Turning darkness encountered into future bright.

So march on, unbroken, with your head held high,
Proud of the battles fought, under life’s gray sky.
Creating a world kinder, just, and true,
From the ashes of your past, the best of you anew.

With courage and love, stronger than ever before,
Your journey from silence has opened the door.
You’re not just surviving; you are setting the pace,
For a world that sees all, beyond any disability’s trace.

With love and pride,
Your older self, unbroken and proud.

They said I’d burn, but I found my fire,
Defying the limits of their uninspired mire.
Tales of a perfect life, a distant, elusive dream,
Yet here I stand, my reality upstream.

Solving my Rubik’s with time, each turn a surprise,
The colors align in ways they couldn’t visualize.
A mosaic of triumph, far beyond their design,
A life that’s unfolding, uniquely mine.

Now, a grad student, my ambitions taking flight,
In a happy relationship, my heart alight.
Only 21, and stepping into my first role,
The future’s a canvas for my eager soul.

Looking ahead, I see a path of my own making,
A journey of dreams, for the taking.
Years stretch before me, a vast, open sea,
Every wave whispers, “This is meant to be.”

So let them talk of flames, of battles lost and won,
I’m the architect of a life that’s only just begun.
Conquering dreams, with each dawn I rise,
For the future is mine, a boundless prize.

In the intricate fabric of life, both dark and bright threads intertwine,
Weaving a story of joy and sorrow, uniquely mine.
No single moment shines so bright,
But every hue blends just right.

From peaks of joy, where hearts soar free,
To valleys deep, where eyes barely see,
Each step, each stumble, and each stride,
Together, they guide me inside.

The laughter that echoes after tears,
The courage that grows from facing fears,
In every up and down, I find my way,
In darkest days and in the lightest fray.

Lessons learned from love that’s lost,
Strength gained, no matter the cost,
Wisdom from making amends,
An open heart when the journey bends.

It’s not just one moment, but the collective thread
That weaves the path I tread,
Both storms that raged and calm that followed,
Dreams that soared and sorrows swallowed.

I stand grateful for every scar,
Every healed wound, every star,
For what has shaped me is life’s complex weave,
A journey rich, in which I believe.

In gratitude, I embrace both joy and pain,
Recognizing each moment’s unique gain,
A step in life’s perpetual ballet,
Changing me for the better, in its own way.

During my nights facing failures stare
I discovered myself ensnared wandering in a daunting labyrinth.
My freshman year, a nightmare, with grades dismal,
A future so bleak it seemed to extinguish my passion.

The phone would ring, its updates a blow
Each call clinging harshly to my mother’s heart.
Alone, in the darkness of night tears would freely flow,
Engaged in a struggle hidden from all.

With nobody to confide in guidance felt scarce
“Just study harder ” they’d advise as if oblivious.
Where to start when hope appeared faint
Every attempt felt doomed as if fated to whirl away.

Amidst that desolation I unearthed a glimmer of hope
A murmur urging me to mend.
“Why surrender ” it whispered softly “on dreams yet untold?
Why not resist the urge to give up and step beyond despair?”

gradually with resolve
I confronted each obstacle and subdued my fears.From failures, to achievements a long journey I’ve traveled
With dedication and determination that never unraveled.

Now standing as a graduate student and teacher in my right
Recalling the times when things weren’t so bright.
A message I hold for those in lifes sea
“Don’t lose hope your tale is still unfolding, wait and see.”

To souls at risk feeling trapped in a cage
Your story is yours to write on this page.
Growth can emerge from despair’s stage
Keep pushing ahead keep dreaming with unwavering courage.

In moments of despair when all seemed lost
I found strength within me at personal cost.
Hold fast to your dreams like a guiding light
For the strength you seek resides, within who you will be.

We chase the dream of a perfect day,
But imperfections won’t go away.
In this world of chaos, we stumble and sway,
Yet beauty hides in the mess we create.

Laughter echoes, but tears fall too,
In every hello, there is a goodbye too.
The sun shines bright, but my shadows loom,
In every moment, a story’s hidden gloom.

We quest for control, but life’s untamed,
Unpredictable twists and turns we can’t reclaim.
Yet in the midst of turmoil, we find our strength,
A resilience that guides us through life’s length.

So let’s embrace the journey, with all its flaws,
And find the beauty in the imperfect laws.
For life’s not about seeking perfection’s gleam,
But dancing with the mess, and making it our theme.

In the uncontrolled moments, we find our voice,
A unique melody that echoes our own voice.
The same melody that makes us make a choice.
Let’s cherish the imperfections, the quirks and the flaws,
For they shape our story, and make our life pause.

Why should I love myself? Let’s dive in with fun,
For I am unique, a rare edition, second to none.
Graduated with honors, a brain quite something,
But still manage to trip over my own two feet.

From University halls to the classrooms I’ve led,
I’ve learned quite a lot, not just what books have said.
Special Ed to core subjects, I’ve taught with flair,
Even when my lesson plans fly above me and my students through the air.

In arguments, I’m a star, my emotions are tight,
Yet, I can’t seem to win when my jeans feel too tight.
Sensory panic the autistic embrace.
My dedication’s fierce, in every task I immerse,
But ask me to cook, and you might need a nurse.

A mentor, a tutor, a friend indeed,
With a heart so vast, I am a rare breed.
I’ve campaigned, I’ve coordinated, even made the Dean’s list,
And yet, finding my keys remains a mythical mist.

I laugh at my errors and embrace each mistake,
For each one’s a lesson, another step I must take.
In life’s moving theatre, I play many roles,
From educator to activist, I’ve scored a ton of goals.

Why love myself? For every stumble and stride,
For the courage to be me, without having to hide.
For my passion, my laughter, the joy I bring,
In this symphony of life, I’m truly the queen.

So here’s to self-love, in all its glory,
For I am the author of a powerful story.
A tale of struggle, of growth, of fun,
Yes, loving myself is a job in itself
As I am a pain in the ass to even myself.