STOP

Because you stopped, I met you. Because you saw I was frustrated and alone and didn't know what to do when my car broke down on the side of the road. Because you took the time to pull over and call a mechanic for me. Because you were so kind and helpful. Because you stopped.

Because you stopped before walking away, just long enough to ask for my number, so you could stop another time and call me. Because you smiled at me and stopped to take the time to not just buy me a drink, but also listen to what I had to say. Because you stopped looking at the other women for that one night and looked only at me. Because you stopped.

Because you stopped caring. Because I remembered when you did. Because I never stopped. You broke my heart, but I managed to put the pieces back together. Because someone else stopped to ask me if I was alright. Because someone else always cared. That's when I knew I had to stop.

Because I had stopped seeing things clearly. Because I felt lost and alone. Because I just needed a friend and someone to help me. Because I was walking by and just happened to glance over and see the flyer. Because I wanted to smile again, I found that I could. Because I stopped.

Because she stopped calling. Because I knew she was too stubborn to be the one to make amends. Because I wanted things to be like they were. Because I didn't want to hate her. Because I needed to stop and take the time to realize that this wasn't the time to stop, but I had to know what was.

Because I saw you had stopped. Because I knew things would not be like I wanted. Because I knew it wasn't meant to be. Because I knew I needed to move on. I stopped.

Because he stopped me. Because he wanted to know if I had the time to stop and consider. Because they looked so helpless and adorable. Because I stopped to consider all the blessings I have and so little I'd given back. Because $10 a month is really not that much. Because I got stopped.

Because you stopped. Because you realized you were making me unhappy and remembered a time we had been happy. Because you wanted to make things work. Because you still loved me and knew that would never stop. Because you stopped, I didn't have to stop loving you, too.

Sometime you don't want to remember, and sometimes you do. Sometimes you have to because it makes you who you are. Life is a journey, full of stops along the way. Sometimes you want to and sometimes you don't want to, but there is always a time when you just have to take a deep breath and stop.