And you learn that you really can endure, you really are strong...

My friend Christy sent me this poem and I love it so much I needed to pass it along.



After a while you learn



the subtle difference between


holding a hand and chaining a soul


and you learn


that love doesn't mean leaning


and company doesn't always mean security.


And you begin to learn


that kisses aren't contracts


and presents aren't promises


and you begin to accept your defeats


with your head up and your eyes ahead


with the grace of woman, not the grief of a child


and you learn


to build all your roads on today


because tomorrow's ground is


too uncertain for plans


and futures have a way of falling down


in mid-flight.


After a while you learn


that even sunshine burns


if you get too much


so you plant your own garden


and decorate your own soul


instead of waiting for someone


to bring you flowers.


And you learn that you really can endure


you really are strong


you really do have worth


and you learn


and you learn


with every goodbye, you learn...






--Veronica A. Shoffstall