Rose Desrochers: Life And What We've Learned
Author: Rose DesRochers

I've not had the best time of my life! But, I have learned to
accept the bad with the good. You do not know what your life
will bring tomorrow, so enjoy all that you've been given today.


In 1992, I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, five weeks
later I was attending her funeral. My daughter Katie was taken
from this earth before her life ever really began. Since her
death, I learned many hard lessons. The most important being
that life can change in a matter of seconds.

Always, live each day as if it were your last." I know this is
an overused cliché, but it's true. You should try to live the
most fulfilling life you can and never be afraid to take
chances. What is life without chances?

One thing that I have learned is that you should never miss a
chance to tell people that you love them. They can be taken
from you in a blink of an eye. Don't put off until tomorrow
what you do today. Don't wait until you are standing at the
foot of their grave to honor them. Pick up the phone today and
call them, just to say, "I love you."

Know who your good friends are and work hard at maintaining
those friendships. It's true what they say, "keep your friends
close, but your enemies closer" Over the past year I've learned
that when the going gets tough, some of your so called friends
are the ones who get going. They turn their back and walk away.
What happened to being there for someone in good times and bad?


I asked a panel of men, women, and children between the ages of
11 and 60 to finish the following sentence. " I've learned..."

Lets look at how they replied.

I've learned- that no matter how much you try to prepare
yourself for the death of a loved one you are never truly
prepared. Rose DesRochers - Age 36

I've learned that life is not always easy but you have to bear
with it for your own sake. -Simon Erif - age 21

I've learned that I must follow my own heart. - Sally - age 47


I have learned that whatever road of your life gets broken you
can carry on, whatever bridge is shattered the river still
flows, whatever dream is destroyed you can make a new one and
as long as your children are ok nothing else really matters.
Bryan -age 46

I have learned in life is never give up on yourself in whatever
you pursue. Monica E- age 43

I've learned that just because someone doesn't say the words,
"I love you" doesn't mean that they don't. Susan C. - Age 50

I've learned that The Wizard of Oz has a bit of truth to it.
When you're lost and trying to find your way back to a familiar
place, life can be quite strange and difficult. However, you
learn things and meet people along the way. Though your road is
hard to travel you must never give up. It is important to have
your brain, your heart, and your courage along with faith to
make it through this life. T.S. Wilkins - age 20

I have learned that to win you must first lose, and that when
you lose sometimes you win. George Platt- Age 55

I've learned that talking back to my teacher only gets you in
trouble. J.DesRochers - age 12

I have learned that although honesty can sometimes be the
hardest option in the moment it is by far and away the easiest
for the moment after and for the rest of your life. Steve- age
46

I've learned how to believe in myself. M.DesRochers - age 15

I've learned that there is nothing in life more important than
friends and family I have some great friends and they help make
life better and of course I love my family they provide strength
and love to me always. Steve Reichard- age 26

I've learned that everything is a miracle. All of us, every
tree, every ant, every lake, cloud and star.... all are
miracles. Jack Jones-age 19

I have learned that in the end it is just you that has to carry
your own cross. Friend's, loved ones may be around make the
going a little sweet however but you battle life by yourself
and the true test of a human being is how successful he/she was
in walking tall while carrying the cross. Alok Kumar Chaudhry -
age 42

I've learned that the old saying: 'You cannot teach an old dog
new tricks' is not true. - Vic age 56

Life has taught me that, sometimes, one must look deeper into
people and see their true spirit, what drives them, and who
they are, rather than just looking at the outside person. Many
misjudgments have been made simply because one was too lazy,
too blind, or did not care enough to find the truth or look
into another's heart. Michelle Williams age 34

I have learned the importance of forgiveness because the past
can affect your future if you let it. TBM age 22

I've learned to always be yourself and don't let anyone change
you. RP age 14

I've learned-That the world is more than houses, shops and
highways. It is more than quarrels between nations, more than
fights on the streets. It is a place of magic and wonder, where
everyday people make it a beautiful place just by being true to
themselves. It is a place where with eyes wide open to the
magic, you can see a leaf dancing down the street in the arms
of the wind. Elizabeth Clark age 42

I've learned that no matter how much you want to do something
wrong, don't do it, because it will come back and slap you in
the ass. Dezzy JK-age 18

I've learned that if we take the seemingly harsh things that
happen to us and turn them around we can most always learn from
them and become better individuals. In simple terms "When you
get lemons, make lemonade!" Jan - age 57

I've learned... That life smacks you in the face. And it will.
So I in life I find that all things pass and with time... We
heal. Be prepared. That life will happen. As it should. But it
is the wearer of this fortune to carry their spirit well.
Giving into it, all that life has to offer. Then give again.
E_Writer - age 52

I've learned that no matter how much you worry, destiny is
written. So why stress yourself out from things that one has no
control over. Ana - age 51

I've learned that no matter how much we may care about someone,
we cannot expect them to care about us. Tamara S. age 36

I've learned trust is something that has to be earned and not
to let anyone take advantage of you! Shawn DesRochers age 34

I've learned that what doesn't kill me, really does make me
stronger. Mia Wright - age 46

I've learned on top of the world, there is a summit only some
of us can attain. A climb so high it's as if it's endless, a
fight for the impossible. When you climb this mountain you
don't know if you will be able to make it to the top, but you
keep going, you keep pushing yourself. You fight until you cant
fight anymore. Until your body gives way. If you fail, you know
you gave it your all. But if you do make it to the top, you get
that feeling that you are on top of the world, as if not one
single soul can beat you. You have worked for that SINGLE
MOMENT, where you are unbeatable, unbreakable. You live for
that single moment to be on top of the world. Brenda Herzog -
age 50

Life isn't always easy; troubles can always come our way. I
often wish that I could go back and live my life over. I wonder
if I make the same mistakes, now that I've learned things the
hard way. It seems the older that we get the wiser that we
become. It doesn't matter how old you are, there's always
something new to learn every day.

"Hope for the Best. Expect the worst. Life is a play. We're
unrehearsed." – Mel Brooks.

Remember, that which doesn't kill us makes us stronger. I've
made some poor choices in life and I've learned many valuable
lessons. I wouldn't be who I am today if it weren't for all
that I learned. What have you learned?

I've learned that everyday I'm still learning. Rose DesRochers
age 36


About The Author: Rose DesRochers is a published poet and
freelance writer. Rose has been writing poetry for more than 20
years. She is also the founder of http://www.todays-woman.net, a
supportive online writing community for men and women over 18.
She is also the Assistant Administrator of
http://www.invision-graphics.com . Rose DesRochers's blog :
http://rosedesrochers.blogspot.com