Comes the Dawn...

A long time ago, in a place not too far from here (about a mile actually) my dad gave me this that he had clipped out of the newspaper.  The year was 1987 and I was an awkward and physically unattractive 15 year old who had recently come to live with my dad after my mother decided she didn't want to be a parent anymore.  I have always struggled with love and attachment issues - and although they always say knowing about something is the first step in changing it - this is really programmed deep for me.  I think my dad gave it to me for the situation with my mom - but over the years, when I have a personal loss, especially of a relationship the words of this come to me.  I used to have it memorized - I dug out my bin of high school memories last night and found the copy.  I think it came from an Ann Landers or Dear Abby column but it has always resonated with me.

"After a while, you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and sharing a life. 

And you learn that Love doesn't mean possession and company doesn't mean security and loneliness is universal.

And you 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 woman, not the grief of  a child.

And you learn to build your hopes on today, as the future has a way of falling apart in mid-flight,

because tomorrow's ground can be too uncertain for plans.

Yet each step taken in a new direction creates the path towards the promise of a new dawn.

And you learn that even sunshine burns if you have too much.

So you plant your own garden and nourish your own soul,

instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn that love, true love, always has joys and sorrows seem ever present,

yet it is never quite the same, becoming more than love and less than love

so difficult to define.

And through it all you learn that you really can endure,

that you really are strong,

that you do have value

and you learn and grow.

With every goodbye you learn.