This kinda love…
Today I pulled into my driveway and saw an elderly couple walking up my block. Typically, this every day occurrence goes ignored even to the corniest of romantics, but this was not typical, it was extraordinary. Their attentiveness to each other captivated me. This moment entranced me to a once upon a time when, the pure innocence of love seemed so surreal before heartbreak hurls us into the raw reality that we are perfectly imperfect.
The couple drew near and I found myself courageous enough, if only for a brief moment, to join them on this journey. I remained in my car and witnessed apparent true love– enduring love–the kinda love that matters. The elder male was struggling, but strong enough to lead his wife and she humble and secure enough to follow him. I wondered did she allow him to lead, as it seems she always has, or did her faith grow over time? Either way, today she embedded her delicate hands in his, like her life depended on it and has always been all the better for it. As strong as he seemed, she continues to stabilize him, and unlike so many men who find such an admission emasculating, he found faith in it. She was worth it all. I sensed that together, they endured health and now sickness in strength all with no regrets.
Seeing and more importantly, feeling them, was my affirmation to someday walk my own path to peace with meaning and patience. As they held on to each other knowing they were all they had and loving each other for that essential purpose, I read their story with each hand held stride, securing no mis-steps because they simply have come too far. This kinda love represents who we must be as black people. This kinda love emboldened me to believe in the true beauty of life again…love in its’ most vulnerable form surviving another change of seasons along with the trees shedding buds that crowned their grey cottony hair like spring snowflakes. Oblivious to the phenomenon of their love, the couple carefully managed along, as they have done so for for years, in tune with the natural order of things. The trees celebrated leaning in to usher them along and the sun warmed their windy applause. Seasoned, they continued to captivate me while fading from my sight. More faithful than before, I stared, very present yet, unnoticed, in prayer, thanking God for sharing this kinda love and now wondering….
Zain Beyond Words, Author, Educator, Youth & Family Professional, Director, P.I.L.L.A.R.S.4Success, LLC. and Luminous Lotus Love Mentoring for Females
info@zainbeyondwords.com, Twitter @Zain Beyond Words
This is so amazing!
Thanks!
Yu’ve probably been on a seesaw or a teeter-totter at some time in your life — you on one side and a friend on the other.
Assuming you were both about the same size, you were able to easily balance on the seesaw.