when someone loves you and fulfills you;
inspires you, protects you, and guides you,
you have found comfort in unconditional love.
you have found stability and emotional safety,
and it will never occur to you until much too late
that you have found the most difficult separation
that you will ever face;
that you have found
the most meaningful nostalgia
for the rest of your life;
that you have found
the greatest heartache
that will bend you until you’re sure you’ll break.
Because one day they will be gone
and you will be alone, scared, and helpless.
you will hurt and yet you will never regret
those always open arms you thought you’d always have,
and with time, your pain will callous
and become your biggest strength.
your loneliness will give way
for the greatest independence.
your hatred for loss will one day bloom
into the most beautiful love for life,
and you will realize
that you are now responsible
for sharing unconditional love
with those who matter most,
so that they may learn:
loss is as much a gift as life itself.
– CSW