BF QOD: A Mother’s Advice

Date posted: May 11, 2012 | By: Dawn

My Mom gave me this poem as a gift. And what a gift it was! My favorite quote in the world. Really, a poem.

For more on that, see here: The Best Gift I Ever Received from my Mom: After A While

After A While 

(Veronica A. Shoffstall, copyright 1971)

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…

Posted in Quote Book, Quote of the Day, Uncategorized | Tags: BF QOD: A Mother's AdvicebreakupsdaughtersfailureheartbreakkissesloveMomssuccess

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