I'm Sorry

none of us is perfect

we do our best

putting one foot in front of the other

pushing on while hoping for happiness

we make so many mistakes

big, not so big, and just plain silly

but if we're lucky

we learn some lessons along the way

lessons about the specific things

but more importantly

how to say, "I'm sorry"

those words some never learn

words I have etched in my heart

words I use often because I know

what it's like 

to never hear them

we learn lessons about forgiveness

about forgiving ourselves our own faults

and forgiving those who hurt us most

so that we can move on and heal

we learn how very fragile

we all are

and how elusive

happiness really is

and then we push on again

doing our best

to find happiness

without having to say, "I'm sorry"

knowing that we are human

and so very flawed

and that it will one day be necessary

to say those words again

I work to put as many days as possible

between those instances

working harder at getting stronger

at being the best me possible

and in the meantime, I say it yet again

for a time when I didn't make the best choices

for hurting you, and me, and others

"I'm sorry"