Lessons Learned After a while you learn The subtle difference between holding a hand and chaining a soul and you learn that friendship doesn't mean companionship and company doesn't always mean security. And you begin to learn that words aren't contracts and actions aren't promises and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up and your eyes ahead with the strength of a man not the heartache 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, that you really are strong, and you really do have worth, and you learn with every good-bye that you achieve something more.