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 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 open,
With the grace of a human being,
Not the grief of a child.
And you learn to build all of your roads on today because tomorrow’s ground
Is too uncertain for plan,
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 …
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth.
And you learn and learn.
With every goodbye you learn.
And when you have finally learned enough,
And you hold all these truths in your heart
You will realise that the goodbye
Of true friends is not forever.