cutting off an arm

I had this discussion with my sister today. I was telling her about telling my ex that I'd never see, talk to, text, email, write (or touch, kiss, make love with, snuggle) to him again. And it felt like cutting off my arm. Sis said she thought ripping out my heart would be more like it, but think about it. If you cut off your arm, it would bleed, and hurt like crazy. You'd feel like the pain would never stop, you'll never be normal, never be "right" again. You'll be ugly, disfigured, no one will ever want you again. But as time goes on the wound heals, and you start learning to live without. How to function again. And become comfortable with the scarred and wounded you. You're not so horrible--you're still YOU. Maybe in time you get a prosthetic. And learn to do things over again--not the same, and it's challenging, and you feel awkward, but in time you get used to it, and challenge yourself, and build pride in what you accomplish. And one day someone will see past the damage and look into your heart and soul and mind and see the beauty of you. Arm or no arm.