This week we celebrate a holiday full of fellowship and love with our family and friends. Thanksgiving is a time for us to reflect on our blessings – those from the past year and even those yet to come. I’m truly humbled by all the blessings I’ve received up to this point in my life. And today I want to say thank you to a group of women who have chosen to play key roles in my life, even though we aren’t blood relatives. They mean so much to me and in case I don’t tell them enough, I pray that this poem gives them just a little insight on how impactful they are to me and my family. I love y’all with all my heart.

Blood has nothing to do with my love

Blood has nothing to do with my love.
I’ve been blessed to love so much more.
God has gifted my life with priceless meaning,
Sistas that I truly adore.

See these sistas don’t necessarily look like me.
Nor can you find their names on my family tree.
Hell, they don’t even have to be here,
But they have made their choice and they choose to stand with me.

Bonded by moments of pain and sadness,
United with laughter and unrelenting support.
There is absolutely nothing that will break my love for them.
No distance, time or issue. No demons of any sort.

When my back is against the wall,
And I’m falling quickly to the ground,
They’ll race to be by my side, battling to get my mind right.
Reminding me I’m the baddest bitch in town.

See, we’ve been tested and the tallies are just in.
Even in our darkest hours when you question our will,
God reminds us how blessed our bond really is,
With a monumental, high-fiving, breast-bumping win.

So please excuse me when I’m walking tall,
Even cocky to a chosen few.
It’s only because I understand that blood never equals love.
Pure love comes from those who are true.

So thank you for being amazing.
Thank you for staying true.
Thank you for blessing my life with your presence, your words and your guidance.
And most importantly, thank you for just being you.

Love,
DNC