[Aryon]

My birth mother for having both the guts and the wisdom to give me up for adoption ... I wish I could meet her to let her know that I DO love her and to thank her for giving me a chance in life that I may not have had.

My adoptive mother who by telling me who I shouldn't become, who I shouldn't associate with and for not listening when I felt she needed to gave me the strength to become who I am, the courage to stand up for what I believe and the willpower to survive all of life's trials and tribulations so far.

My beautiful grandmother for seeing things through my eyes, for teaching me to whistle, spit watermelon seeds and climb trees. She encouraged my passion for music, talked to me openly as an adult even when I was a child, told me things other relations hid from me and listened when I had something to say. She taught me to cook, held me when I sought shelter and raised me up higher than any other person did. She allowed me to be who I was and defended my individuality.I miss her so much.

My loving partner of five years who has stood beside me through my "small step journey". For showing me that the phrase "your scars don't matter" can be spoken honestly. For showing me how to love again. For taming my anger and for teaching me how to live again, comfortable in my own battle-scarred skin. She is my best friend, my lover, my mentor, my muse and my life would not be the same without her in it.

There are other women of notability but none more important than these four.