I was never on the honor roll
I never got a 4.0
I wasn't in the top 100 of my class
I didn't get a scholarship
I didn't play any sports
I gave up on all my musical instruments
I can't draw

I brought all this up to my best friend
In tears
Because my life was nothing special
I have quite literally accomplished nothing
Nothing to be proud of
Nothing to show

"Shut up," she said.
"You're an amazing friend.
You listen and you help, with no judgment.
You're a hard worker.
People count on you."

A few years later and I'm a college drop out
Who works two jobs
With parents that sing praise to anyone who listens
About my little brother

But I'm proud of myself
Because I am one of the best employees
Because I'm a good daughter and a kind sister
Because I'm there for the friends that never hesitate to walk away from me
Because I have aspirations

There is so much hurt in this world
I have felt some of it
And so have you

The greatest thing I will ever accomplish
Is sharing
In other people's pain
And I don't need a college degree
To do that