A sensuous kiss from my sixty-five-year-old husband still gives me a tummy twinge like I had as his date and as his new bride.But this is the tip of the monumental essence of our going-on-thirty-sixth-year marriage.
What comes to mind are those treasured words,”How do I love thee? Let me count the ways …”I love Michael more than for kisses or our shared sexuality.Love has graced into our lives,built from quiet,whispering moments.
He shows his love by his actions.He cuts and splits fire-wood in the fall and winter months,to help conserve on our energy bills.He runs errands and shops for groceries if I want to stay home and write or work on my studies.He encourages and supports me in wherever a new goal’s journey may be taking me. And I swear that this man has more faith than I do in my dreams,what I can accomplish,and me.I love this about him.
In 1976,when he quit smoking,he told me,”I want to live my life with you because I love you — this is why I’m quitting.I want to be here for you and our kids.” I admired and respected him for this,but I was so young that I never knew the reality of these words of his,about his wanting to grow old with me.But here I am ,at age fifty-four,smoke-free,and loving the example he set for me.Being older has drawn me to understand “growing old together,” too.
He’s an insightful man,truly listens,and gives sound advice.He’s tender,strong,and understanding.For me,anyone who’s able to understand me like he does is near sainthood! His deep love and devotion took care of me throungh a five-year illness in the Eighties,when most men would’ve run in the other direction.
He’s humorous and tells delightful stories.It can be a story about his childhood or family,or about something that happened in the service or in college–whatever it is .he tells it with charm and knows how to entertain.He’s a very quiet man,so when he talks,I listen.
He’s my taxi driver,my lover,my friend,and mylife partner.When I found him,I found myself.As the years have grown,I fall more in love with him,in different,small ways.And in large ways too,like when he took care of the household uties and me after my major surgery last year.
I grew to love writing poetry and I compose my poems based on my true live of him.I feel that our daily activities are like unspoken ballets of things we do for each other.I’m in love with being in love with him.
And he cooks,too!