A good friend of mine sent this to me in an email a few weeks ago. I somehow missed it in my inbox and it became as a "read" status. Cleaning out my emails this morning I came across it and really read it. It speaks a thousand words and brings even more emotion:
"Good-Byes"
After awhile 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 the grace of an adult and
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 midflight.
After awhile you learn that
even sunshine burns if you
ask for too much.
So plant our own soil
instead of waiting for someone
to bring you flowers.
And you learn
that you really can endure
that you really are strong
and you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn.
With every good-bye
you learn.
- Adam Ricker
