I love this damn work. It's helped me so often.
I found this on my ex mother in laws nightstand once. Coincidentally, it carried me daily after I left her son. A framed version hangs in my living room, a constant reminder.
It occurs to me that I should share, for those who may happen upon it here. I know of a few fufriends who could probably benefit from this right now. They know, or will after reading it.
I can't credit it properly because there is much hubbub concerning who originally penned it.
Without further ado....
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 tomorrows 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...