After You

“I did not learn how to love until long after you. It was not with you, nor because of you, and definitely not in spite of you. I found love was telling someone they sing beautifully. It was doing the dishes for them. It was taking time to make the weight they carry lighter.

I did not learn how to care until long after you. It was not with you, nor because of you, or in spite of you. I found caring for others was often easier than not caring. I found that opening up lead to a warmth felt rarely when you pushed everyone away. It was taking time to make life a little more bearable for the ones you loved.

I did not learn how to empathize until long after you. It was not with you, nor because of you, or in spite of you. I found empathy went further then the flesh. It seeped in until it wound itself around your soul. It made each day shiny and new. I found my heart hurt less when I’m with the ones I love.

I did not learn how to be until long after you. I did not learn that life was easier with others until long after you. I did not learn strength until long after you. I did not learn until these things were shown to me and trust me, I did learn to let you go.”