For my inspiration:

"I'm very proud of you"
--[Academian]
Dedicated to my inspiration, my colleague, my confidant, and my friend.

I’m not much of one for babble.
I don’t put much stock in tales.
Oe’r banter and o’er gossip
Foibles leave their little trails.

Although I won’t admit it,
It is very clear to see.
Not one of us is spotless,
And least of all, not me.

We all have made our errors,
Our bad judgments and mistakes.
But honesty’s the only way
To ease life’s gives and takes.

I am insensitive and very proud.
I have skeletons galore.
I could feed the nest of vipers,
But they keep coming back for more.

It’s the rare and special person
Who can admit their fault with grace.
I just wish that we could do it
Without first falling on our face.

The first time down is hardest.
You think you’ll never make it back.
No matter how you think you’ve lost,
You’ll find you’re right on track.

I’ve been hearing awful stories
And I hope they aren’t true.
No matter how it all works out,
I’m very proud of you.

You are a woman all your own -
My fellow and my friend.
I know that you are strong enough
To see this to the end.

You’re braver than I’ll ever be
And, no, it’s not an act.
I know you’ll make it through this trial,
And that, friend, is a fact.

No victory without some loss;
No loss without some gain.
I’d like to say that it won’t hurt,
But you know there’ll be some pain.

We cannot be transparent,
And not one of us is glass.
Just close your eyes, and step aside.
This moment, too, will pass.

You’re the one who kept me sane,
And gave me good advice.
I respect you as I always did,
So I will say it twice.

Just keep your wits about you,
Be honest and be true.
No matter how it all works out,
I’m very proud of you.