Are we ever prepared for the toughest goodbyes?
To feel as if a chunk of ourselves has departed,
And that our hearts will never be the same.

Are we ever prepared for the masks?
That fall off people’s faces when least expected.

Are we ever prepared to face the things that haunt us?
To mourn the pieces of ourselves that will never return,
And then to openly embrace them.

Are we ever prepared for our lives to fall apart?
To end up in places we never imagined we’d be.

Are we ever prepared to move forward?
Even it means walking alone.

Are we ever prepared to keep reminding ourselves of the lessons we’ve learned?
To have enough faith to keep starting over,
And to leave some space for unexpected strength to come through.

©ZeinaA.G