It has been a while since this was posted and we have a lot of new friends who need to see it.<P>Comes the dawn<BR>By Veronica Shoffstall<P>After a while, you learn the subtle difference<BR>between holding a hand and chaining a soul.<P>And you learn that love doesn't mean possession<BR>and company doesn't mean security,<BR>and loneliness is universal.<P>And you learn that kisses aren't contracts,<BR>and presents aren't promises...<BR>and you begin to accept your defeats<BR>with your head up and your eyes open,<BR>with the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.<P>And you learn to build all of your hope on today,<BR>because tomorrow's ground is too uncertain,<BR>and futures have a way of falling down in mid-flight<BR>because tomorrow's ground can be too uncertain for plans;<BR>yet each step taken in a new direction creates a path<BR>towards the promise of a brighter dawn.<P>After a while you learn that even sunshine burns<BR>if you get too much.<P>So you plant your own garden,<BR>and nourish your own soul<BR>instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.<BR>And you learn that you really can endure...<BR>That you really are strong,<BR>and you really do have worth.<P>And you learn and grow...<P>With every good-bye you learn.<P>Postscript:<P> There comes a time in our lives when we have to let go. We have to realize that even though we are losing a person we once loved (and maybe still will love for a while) we have to be true to ourselves. If, in our marriage, we weren't valued as we should have been, if our self worth suffered, if we were constantly defensive, if we didn't feel that marriage was wonderful, if we weren't appreciated and cherished, then we have to realize that our marriage wasn't good for us. We have to realize that although that person was in our life for a time, for a purpose, it may be best that we say good-bye. Just as surely as they were in our life for a purpose, they are leaving for a purpose. There is another purpose awaiting us. Only that which we no longer need leaves our lives, even though it may be painful for a little while. When we say our marriage vows, we pledge our love until death do us part. Promises were made. We know now that promises are broken; that vows don't mean faithfulness; and fervent sweet pledges of love can turn sour. Just because our spouse no longer wants to be with us doesn't mean we are not worthwhile. We just weren't right for each other for the long haul. <P>Life goes on. We grow, and we learn, and we change. <BR>We can have faith that the sun will shine in our hearts again.<P>Yes, we will survive.<BR> <A HREF="http://home.att.net/~velvet-hammer/comesthedawn.html" TARGET=_blank>http://home.att.net/~velvet-hammer/comesthedawn.html</A> <P>Prayers and stuff,<P>Bumper<BR> <BR>

Really inspirational Bumper!<P>No, none of us want to face that this is the possibility, but it IS. And we have to look after ourselves, and take care of ourselves, and love ourselves MORE than we ever did right now...<P>And isn't it tough when the message you got from your WS is that you weren't good enough?<P>But we will survive...so true. Praise Gloria Gaynor.<P>Love and light, <P>Jacky

Bumper,<P>Thanks! That was beautiful! I am copying and saving that.<P>ANNA<P>

{{{{{{{{<B>Bumper</B>}}}}}}}}<P>Thanks.<P>Nicole<P>------------------<BR><I>"You will deceive yourself into believing that if people, circumstances, and events had been different, your pain would not exist...Your pain is the concrete way in which you participate in the pain of humanity."</I> <BR>~ Henri Nouwen ~<p>[This message has been edited by OvrCs (edited September 20, 2001).]

{{{{{Bumper}}}}}<P>You have amazing timing. As you know, this is just what I have needed to hear lately. Is there a word that means so much more than "Thank You"? <P>CJ<P>------------------<BR>Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

Okay, WOW.<P>(((((Bumper)))))