Monkeys In My Minivan

I was reading my niece's blog and saw a post with one of my favorite poems from my junior or senior year of high school.  Back then, I copied it into my special winnie-the-pooh journal ... my special journal with all my deep thoughts and other's words of influence in my life and my favorite poems and quotes.  I need to find that journal ... I think its in a box somewhere ... but it should be somewhere that I can read it!

When I read this poem in high school, I was begining to grow up, and I understood this poem.  Now, years later, I understand this poem with a different perspective, but it still affects me the same way.  I have learned so much through life, and I am still learning.

After A While

By: Veronica A. Shofftshall

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 ahead, with the grace of an adult, 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 leave 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.