After awhile……

                                                            You learn the subtle

                                                            difference between

                                                            holding hands and

                                                            chaining a soul.

 

                                                                        You learn

                                                                        that love

                                                                        doesn’t mean

                                                                        leaning and

                                                                        company

                                                                        doesn’t 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 held high

                                                                        and your eyes open,

                                                                        with grace,

                                                                        and not grief.

 

                                                You learn to build your roads on

                                                today, because tomorrow’s

                                                ground is too uncertain, and

                                                futures have a way of falling in

                                                mid flight.

 

                                                                                                After awhile… you

                                                                                                learn that even sunshine

                                                                                                burns if you get

                                                                                                too much.

 

                                    So you plant your own garden and you decorate

                                    your own soul, instead of waiting for someone

                                    else to bring you flowers.

 

                                                                        You learn that you really can endure and

                                                                        that you really are strong.

 

                                                                                    That you really do have

                                                                                    worth and that you keep

                                                                                    learning.

 Author: unknown and revised by JAG