Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Today....

Two years ago today, I heard some beautiful and inspiring words..... I just wanted to share some of them with you.... I still try to live by them, in past love and in present.

"A union requires love. A real love binds together two people. When we love, we see things other people do not see. We see beneath the surface and observe qualities which makes this relationship different from and dearer than all others. To see with loving eyes is to know inner beauty and to be loved is to be seen and known as we are known to no other. In addition to the love, affection, and thoughtful consideration you have for each other, you will need a capacity for self-sacrifice, patience, and a sense of adventure and awe.

A good union must be created. The little things are the big things. It is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say "I love you" at least once, each day. It is never going to sleep angry. It is speaking of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude in thoughful ways. It is having the capacity to forgive and forget. It is giving each other atmosphere in which each can grow. It is finding room for the difference in spirit. It is a common search for the good and beautiful. It is not only HAVING the right partner, but BEING the right partner.

It is giving of ourselves to another, with out knowing what the changes of time may work into our lives together. It is being ready to move into darkness, illness, and loss of beauty while still loving each other. We stand on sacred ground when we stand close enough to another to give ourselves to each other without strings or conditions. It is giving ourselves to another and making our hearts vulnerable, all this to achieve a sense of life, which is deeper then anything we have ever known."




"On this day, you stand somewhat apart from all other human beings. You stand with in the charmed circle of your lives, and this is as it should be. However, love is not meant to be the possession of two people alone, rather it should serve as a source of common energy, in which you find the strength to love your lives with courage. From this day onward, you must come closer together then ever before. You must love one another in sickness and in health, for better and for worse, but at the same time your love should give you the strength to stand apart, to be part of the world, which is more then us and yet always a part of us."



Blessing of the Hands


"These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever. These are the hands that will work alongside yours, as together you build your future. These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch, will comfort you like no other. These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief fills your mind. These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes; tears of sorrow and tears of joy. These are the hands that will tenderly hold your children. These are the hands that will help you hold your family as one. These are the hands that will give you strength when you need it. And lastly, these are the hands that even when wrinkled and aged will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch."

I love reading these parts of our special day but today was different for me.... I read them and smiled. Not to say I'm not sad that I can't share it with the same person who heard these words with me but having him in my life for a short time has taught me so much in the last few years..... I've learned to love without fear and to leave my heart vulnerable. Sometimes it hurts us and but leaving our hearts open can welcome in others. I've learned that one love doens't have to end so another love can have a beginning. Two loves can be had in two very different ways......

So today I'm going to remember Ryan fondly and I'm going to hope he's still watching his children happily play. I'm going to visit the place where his body is laid, but know that his spirit is still all around me. I'm also going to wrap my arms around the man who is at my side today and I hope he knows just how much I love him. How thankful I am that he loves all pieces of me, and my children..... our family. And I hope someday I'll get to say and hear words similar to these as I leave my heart vulnerable again......

5 comments:

Nina said...

Dana- this is beautiful. your ceremony 2 years ago was beautiful.....

I use to HATE feeling vulnerable and I avoided it at all costs for a long time. But now here I am. Feeling vulnerable and exposed still makes me uncomfortable- just acknowledging that is a humbling thing. But you are right... with this surrender comes beauty and a closeness that words cant describe well.

Now I'm feelin' all sappy.

*Hugs*

ChiTown Girl said...

absolutely beautiful. thanks for sharing this.

-jd said...

Your blog is beautiful. I can't begin to tell you how honored I feel that you made me a part of this day. When I first read this blog, tears rolled down my face as I read the words that you wrote about me, you let me be a part of something so important to you...I was the white flower, I got to go and say a prayer, you spoke of me with words of love and I have been overcome with how great that made me feel. How loved I feel and how deeply honored. I love you Dana. And i too hope that on that day when your heart becomes vulneralbe again, I will be by your side, your hands in mine as my heart falls vulnerable to the life we look forward to.

Anonymous said...

You are blessed. I love these words. I miss and love your other half deeply. I love your new other half. You got through this day. I can't actually feel what you have gone through and have yet to go through. I love you forever!!!!!

ChiTown Girl said...

Is that your beautiful artwork on this post? I tried to enlarge the photo, but it wouldn't work, so I couldn't see the signature.