"Comes the Dawn" - Veronica A. ShoffstallAfter a while you learn the subtle differencebetween holding a hand and chaining a soulAnd you learn that love doesn't mean leaningand company doesn't always mean security.And you begin to learn that kisses aren't contracts and presents aren't promisesAnd you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.And you learn to build all your roads on todaybecause 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,that you really are strong, and you really have worth.And you learn and you learnwith every goodbye, you learn.