Kisses Aren't Contracts
December 30, 2013
A bit ahead of the actual New Year, I thought I'd muse a bit on things.
Like - thumbs are nice to have when you're moving. Injure one and discover how difficult it is to grasp anything. Discover real pain when you reinjure it, over and over, as you go through packing and sorting and unpacking and lifting and moving and trying to get things done.
Yes, moving is hard but like most experiences, good or bad, there is a beginning and an end. We are approaching the end. This may be remembered as our 'move from hell' ... which lasted practically two whole weeks, with its attendant ups and downs, but today, everything looks much brighter. Even the sun seems sunnier. The thumb still hurts but, pain is temporary.
On Wednesday, following a night of quiet at our house, we'll be busy unpacking, moving furniture here and there, settling into our new house, along with the dogs and the cat, and because I will not likely be online much, I thought I'd share this poem, which surfaced during the dismantling of my office, at the old house.
Very reflective and worth a read. I saved it from the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper in Rochester, NY... an old column from Dear Ann Landers. Many will remember Ann as a popular nationally syndicated advice columnist who answered people's questions and helped solve life's little problems on a daily basis. Enjoy.
After a While
by Veronica A. Shoffstall
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 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 your head up and your eyes ahead
with the grace of woman, 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 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
you really are strong
you really do have worth
and you learn
and you learn
with every goodbye, you learn…
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