To all of you who have shown patience for me
While silence was there, instead of words 
And while words came back, s l o w l y
Sometimes after playing 20 questions with me.

To all of you who have laughed with me,
At the ridiculous sounds coming from me,
Such as the way LOL cats would say "perfect." 

Or that time in Starbucks,
All I could manage was the word "dead," 
we laughed hysterically (though it wasn't funny).

To all of you who felt compassion for me
Strangers, (for the most part)
Like that woman who explained to the produce guy
what I meant I when said, "yams."

To all of you who celebrate me,
When I get the word right,
….after thinking with a long pause,
….and you understood!

To all of you who have prayed with and for me
I draw on your strength,
I draw on your courage,
I draw on your persistence.

And most of all...

On hard days,
When I can't believe,
your belief gets me through.

Thank you.