(A few days ago I read a beautiful post written by a fellow DPP member about saying the right thing to someone who deserves it. It was incredibly well written and thoughtful. Reading it made me think of one of my favorite songs and I wanted to write something inspired by the post and the song.)

If just one person believes in you. Deep enough, and strong enough, believes in you.

My heart melts seeing you cry. Your shoulder are hunched, wracking sobs shake your body. It's a familiar sight to me, a vision of failure, of despair. I hold you close, lending you my strength, giving you my comfort, wanting and willing to help.

You whisper, "I can't do this anymore. I just can't. I'm too tired."

"You can. You most certainly can." I respond, rubbing your back. "I believe in you."

Looking up at me, eyes filled with pain and tears trickling down your face, you return scathingly. "How?! I've failed so much! Nothing I do works, absolutely nothing. I am worthless!"

Holding your face in my hands I shake my head, meeting your doubt and anger face on. "No you're not. This is just a moment of failure. It doesn't define you. You can get past it. You will get past it."

I see a crack in the wall. A small glimmer of light shining through the haze. In a barely audible whisper I hear you murmur "Really?"

Holding you close I reply, "I believe in you."

Hard enough, and long enough before you knew it, someone else would think. If he can do it. I can do it. Making it two. Two whole people who believe in you.

"I got a sponsor!" You yell jumping up and down. You practically leap into my arms. "They loved my portfolio and want to interview me for the position!"

I hoist you up and spin you around, your excitement is infectious and I laugh with you. You're a huge difference now. Your smiling face the exact opposite of your look of depression mere months before. "That's great!" I say with a kiss. "See? Things will only get better. I have no doubts."

Your beaming face is like pure gold shining in the light and my heart warms to see it.

And if two whole people believe in you. Deep enough, and strong enough believe in you. Hard enough and long enough, there's bound to be some other person who believes in making it a threesome. Making it three. Three people you can say, believe in me.

"Relax!" I say with a laugh smoothing out your jacket, straightening your collar. "You have nothing to worry about."

You smile back nervously. "It's just I've never had anyone who works under me before. I'm responsible for their work life and mine. It's...new and kind of scary."

With a kiss to your cheek I grin back comfortingly, "You will do wonderfully. I believe it."

And if three whole people, why not four. And if four whole people, why not more. And more. And more. And if all those people believe in you. Deep enough and strong enough believe in you. Hard enough and long enough, it stands to reason that you, yourself will start to see what everybody sees in you.

On the surface you seem incredibly calm and serene but your hand trembles slightly in my hand. I squeeze it soothingly and bring it to my lips. You turn and smile at me, much more confident. "Enjoy this night." I say happily. "You deserve this achievement award and you're speech will be perfect."

You nod and say quietly, "I know. I worked hard and this is the proof. I know my speech will be great." A calm determination in your demeanor. Hearing you say those words though, that belief in yourself is the true reward. Seeing how you changed and grew fills my heart with love and admiration.

And maybe even you, can believe in you, too.

You turn to me and in a quiet voice say, "Thank you for this. You helped me so much. How did you know that I could do this? How did you know this would be possible?" A small note of uncertainty creeps in, the haunted look from months past diffuses in a little.

The look in your eyes reminds of a time long past. That same question, that same doubt. Instead it was from me to another. I was at my utter lowest and an angel rescued me from the depths of despair. My smile grows warm and cupping your cheek in my hand I repeat the words that saved me a lifetime ago, "I believed in you."