I have learned over the years that this life is going to be difficult, and people are not always going to be what we expect. I myself have experienced my fair share of difficult and heartbreaking moments. Things I never thought would come about in my life until a later time left me thinking I was never going to get through it. Each and every hard time has made me a stronger and better person. It has also taught me that self love is so important. I have never been the most confident girl but I love me for me and I find that more important. It has taken time to let things go and not to get so down on myself for the things I cannot control. I know who I am and the big heart I have is taken for granted a lot of times. There have been people that have walked out on me, or haven't even given me a chance to show them who I really am. I may be shy and kind of awkward until I'm comfortable enough to open up. The tragedies in my life have caused so much damage I've learned my own ways to protect myself even if they aren't the best. I have often times pushed people away when that was the last thing I intended. My intentions with each and everyone in my life have always been the best and I am always willing to give more than I receive in return. There is no doubt that I miss those I was once close with but they have all taught me something, and I'm hopeful there is a day we are able to rekindle things. We are all in different places in our lives now and things are a bit more stable than they once were. I have grown to accept some aren't meant to be in our lives for a long period of time but it doesn't make me any less grateful for everyone that comes across my path. I will always try to make the best of this life as its the only one I get. We will not be loved by everyone we meet but not everybody matters.