Learning

My late Mom always taught me to learn from my mistakes.  So tonight, I share a poem that I try to live by daily.  Of  course, there are times when I fail and times when I completely fall off the map.  But imagine this:  since I can remember, through oh, don't know,a LOT of moves, the following has always been a steadfast staple hanging faithfully in my mother's kitchen cabinet.  The paper is yellow and frail, but these words will remain in m soul.  Enjoy.
 
Learning:
After a while you learn the 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 spirit of  a man, or the grace of a woman, and not the grief of a child.
 
And you begin to 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.,
 
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, and you really do have worth. 
 
And you learn, and you learn, with every goodbye you learn.
---Author unknown