The Greatest Compliment

If I die today

my bones will rest content

For my soul will remain

more alive

than dead

:

For many reasons

but mostly for that

I have lived

true to myself

:

Walking

aligned with my

soul purpose

aligned with my

words

:

Even if those who

walked on the cold pavement

laid by the feet before them

laughed at me for

kissing the untrodden soil

with the soles of my feet

:

Accepting myself

exactly who for who I am

and by extension

giving others permission

to do the same

:

I’ve realized this once

or twice on my own

But when someone

you love outright tells you

that is the greatest compliment

for my heart to have known

:

Because in my eyes that is

the greatest achievement:

To live in the freedom of truth

:

They told me a secret

as joy glowed in their eyes

A secret that defied

who they thought they were

and who everyone has known

them to be

:

I congratulated them

on their new journey

their newfound joy

as I smiled wide

in loving support

:

“I knew I was going to tell you at some point

because I knew you wouldn’t judge me.”

“I just was trying to figure out when I wanted to,

and how I would bring it up in a conversation.”

:

And that to me is the greatest compliment

To know that the people you care for

feel safe with you to fully express themselves

Knowing that you love them for who they are

not what they do, what they’ve done,

or for who everyone else thinks they are

:

Knowing they can share their secrets with you

because you will protect them with care

and you won’t judge them for what they share

:

Because it’s true

It’s rare to find those people

Who fully accept you for you

Who cheer you on no matter what you do