<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><div id="AppleMailSignature"><b>“Before I . . . “</b> by Insiya K. Patanwala</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"> </div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Before I became strong, I knew what it was like</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">To be weak,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">How difficult it is to love yourself,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">To find the wholeness that you seek.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"> </div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Before I knew the light, </div><div id="AppleMailSignature">I have had my fair share of darkness, too,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Where my world fell into a hopelessness</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">And I didn't know how to get through.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"> </div><div id="AppleMailSignature">For I have known the tears it takes,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">The courage to stand up again,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">When you are broken down and bruised</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">And you know nothing but the pain.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"> </div><div id="AppleMailSignature">You forget to appreciate love,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">If you haven't seen the hate,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Till you forget the meaning of smile and laughter,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">And your heart is left abate.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"> </div><div id="AppleMailSignature">I have known the strength and courage</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">It requires to get it right,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">To face the things that hold you down</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">And hold your head up and fight.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature"> </div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Before I was who I am now,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">I was someone I didn't want to be.</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">I was lost, battered, and defeated,</div><div id="AppleMailSignature">Before I knew how to be me!</div><div><br></div></div><div id="AppleMailSignature">--------------------------------<br><br><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div> </div></div></body></html>