Lean beside the ones who ask for help
Just as much as you lean beside the ones who say they’re fine
Lean beside the ones who encourage
As well as the ones who only want to take
Lean beside the ones with whom you agree
As well as the ones with whom you couldn’t disagree more
Lean beside all that you value
So that you can give to all who are willing to receive
Lean beside when you feel like it
And lean a bit harder when you don’t
Lean beside the voice of truth
So that you can speak life to yourself and others
Lean beside the ones who push you
So that you can push yourself
Lean beside the good questions
Especially when they’re not the easy ones
Lean beside the answers
And respond with grace when you don’t want to hear them
Lean beside the sad and hurting
With as much passion that you lean beside the laughter
Leaning beside says more than words can
That we’re in this thing called life together
That I don’t have to know how to fix it
Or even how you feel
But I care enough to be human right along with you
Leaning beside means being brave
It means humanizing when it’s easier not to
That you’re choosing love when hate begs to become a norm
That joining hands can happen with those you least expect
And that there is always, always hope
Because you have someone to lean beside