"After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul,
And you learn that love does not mean leaning and company does not always mean security.
And you begin to learn that kisses are not contracts and presents are not 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 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 and you really are strong and you really do have worth.
And you learn and you learn with every goodbye you learn."