2018, Love Letter 11

This is exactly what I long to tell you…

I fell in love with this sign today at the vintage shop, and I wanted to send you the picture I took. 

I wanted to buy the sign and put it up in our house. I want to sit next to you on the sand and listen to the waves, and be close enough to lean on your shoulder for a moment or two.

And maybe whisper how much I love you and this life we’ve built together.



But instead of saying, “I love you,” I would have said, “You, me and the sea.”

Low and thick with emotion.

And you would have looked at me with a knowing, a complete understanding, in your eyes, and brushed your lips gently against my forehead.

And my eyes would have shone brightly with the diamond-tears that only a lifetime together can express.

—

That’s how it would have been, my dear.

2018, Love Letter 10

In characters of living light,
Of kindly deeds and actions wrought.
And these, beyond the touch of time,
Shall live immortal as my thought.*

Somehow, you’ve pegged me well.

And I am on this side of it wondering, did we talk that much before?

I don’t really remember offering that much of a view to my insides…

But, I do know you to be…brilliant.

So smart.

You know things.

And maybe, I should just trust the fact that you know me too.

—

You take pictures of things that make you happy.

Yes. Exactly.

Why couldn’t I find those words?

As things are; how they are; when they are…

I want to remember.

Just like, I want to remember you…

—

And I do.

All the times you made me smile…

All the times, I felt like someone was on my side…

All the times, you shared your experience with me…

All the times I felt like there was never enough time…

Your kind deeds live in my heart.

—

And, somehow, without having – what I think – is enough time, there’s been enough time for memories to last.

You’ve been an important player, without having played much.

You matter.

And when I ask you, “How’s your heart,” I care more than I can explain.

—

But, I think you know.


*from Carving a Name by Horatio Alger Jr.

2018, Love Letter 9

There are some people who – by their service – make a huge impact.

You, my dear, are one of those people.

The way you love.

The way you serve.

The way you remain consistent, never failing, always giving — it’s an act of creation, it’s passion, it’s…

Awe-inspiring.

You inspire (you create) awe within me.

—

I feel like sometimes, you just see the trees – the individuals in your path that need love and care – and your focus is tight on that moment-by-moment act of service.

I need you to know that there’s a whole forest – the individuals who see your commitment, who are witness to your love – who are in the path of your light-ripples, who have the opportunity to absorb the courage you present.

You present (offer) courage.

It is your gift…

…one that I am thankful – oh, so thankful – to be challenged by!

2018, Love Letter 8

There are so many things I want to tell you.

There’s a backlog of stories, thoughts, antidotes – questions – that I want to send your way. I feel like a pen-pal that’s behind on sending letters.

I have a treasure-trove of thanks to share with you for being you…the kind of person who pursues creation.

You inspire me. So often.

And I don’t take the time, the second, that I should to send acknowledgement your way.

—

Sure. We don’t always get it right.

But we keep trying, right?

Life. Living. Learning.

Growth.

Somehow, in one simple sentence, you’ve summed up everything I want to say to you: “I’m really glad I know you.”

BOOM.

My world rocks just a little bit from…

the kindness of it…

the power of it…

the generosity of it…

the evaluation of it…

And, of course, the unfairness of it that you said that words first.

I didn’t; I couldn’t; I was struggling to convey, to share, to communicate…

How in the world is communication a struggle for me?!

Let me just ask you that –

—

I appreciate you more than I can say…

(…and I know that I should try to say it more often.)

I am so thankful that our paths crossed and that you’re among the stars that shine light and inspiration on my path.

That’s how I see you, if I haven’t said it before, a star full of history, experience, wisdom – full of light – and full of presence, making “the now” count, taking charge of each moment to give light.

—

I know it’s not easy: it’s a constant conversion, a state of releasing energy…

It’s action.

You are action.