My Favorite Poem:

I haven't been updating this blog because so much is going on in my life right now that I'm trying to deal with. As you may know, my Grandma is ill and my family is wrestling with how to care for best. It is hard to see Grandma just a shell of the sweet and strong woman that I once knew. She has had a tough life and I admire for her always holding her head up high and finding small things to be joyful about.
I need your prayers and positive thoughts. I'd like to post my favorite poem. It gives me hope and strength in my darkest moments. I hope you enjoy it...


After a While
Veronica Shoffstall


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...

© 1971 Veronica A. Shoffstall