Monthly Love Letter, The Second

We present herein the second of the planned monthly love letters. This letter has been slightly delayed due to the hubbub of end-of-school-year and holiday activities.  And so, without further ado, Herself speaks:

My Beloved,

Today I am thinking about this past year.  More so than ever before, it seems, the year has been filled with trials and tribulations, worries and concerns, missteps and failed attempts and starting-overs.  At the same time, interspersed within the hard parts, there have also been joys; we have also had hopes and goals that have been dreamed and achieved. 

Throughout it all, you have been my companion, my motivation, and my shelter.  You have listened to me when I am unable to let things go, and you have forgiven me my moments even when you do  not understand.  You have provided me many opportunities -- sometimes intentionally, sometimes not -- to improve as a person, and have forced me to look within and to understand myself, you, and other people better.

Thank you for helping me to be the person I am today, for allowing me the space and the time to grow into myself, and for growing alongside me. We will get there someday.  Where "there" is, I do not yet know, but as long as we are journeying together, that is all that matters. 

Then Almitra spoke again and said, "And what of Marriage, master?"
And he answered saying:
You were born together, and together you shall be forevermore.
You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days.
Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God.
But let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other's cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other's keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other's shadow.
- Kahlil Gibran

Now and always,
Yours