After a while you learn that there is a difference between holding a
hand and
chaining a soul.
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaving 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 defects with your head up and your
eyes open, with
the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all your roads on today, because tomorrow's
ground is too
uncertain fpor 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 and that you're really strong
and that
you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn, with every "goodbye" you learn.