Without pain we cannot embrace contentment, just as without fear we will never understand our strength.

She was reminiscent of a first autumn leaf, patiently waiting to surrender herself to the cooling earth. For she knew without change growth was impossible, and without transformation she would never reach her intended destination.

Some let life's storms tarnish them, but she was different. Even the most vehement downpour could not break her spirit. She saw it as an opportunity to be cleansed, to rise again glowing radiantly in a tainted world.

I found myself constantly clinging to the things that imprisoned me. For I knew that setting them free would in return liberate me, something I had both ached for and defied.

There are these moments where I forget you ever existed, and there are others when I can't imagine how I will ever exist without you.

And every night she dreamed of reinventing herself and every morning she convinced herself she needed one more day.