After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesnt mean leaning
And company doesnt mean suecurity,
And you begin to learn that kisses arent contracts
And presents arent promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head up and your eyes open
With the grace of an adult, 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 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...
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth
And you learn and you learn...
With every good bye you learn

                       --Author Unknown