WE ARE NOT fast learners. In fact, we don't learn at all. Not anything of substance, at least. All we learn is fear; and fear is overwhelmed by need; and need finds its ally in hope. We do not learn to stop trying. We fall down and some kind soul picks us up and dries away our tears and pats us and powders us and sends us on our way again. We put out timid feelers, ready instantly to retract at the slightest rebuff, but we keep on putting them out. A shy and hopeful smile greets every prospect, though if it is not returned, we may pretend that we were just smiling to ourselves. We are ashamed at our need and try to hide it, but everybody knows. They know because they are like us. Everybody's been there, or is there, or is going there soon. Everybody. In matters of the heart, there is no respect of persons.

'Tis a lesson you should heed,

Try, try again.
If at first you don't succeed,
Try, try again. - Thomas H. Palmer (1782 - 1861) 


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