[to the children]

ten years, twenty years, gone
[i've learned a little- not too much]
enough
don't listen to them, child, when the voices tell you
that loving isn't worth it
that the tears aren't worth it
< < the heartbreak isn't worth it
you can do so much better > >
the tears are real. no escaping.
your heart is going to break because you love so bad.
keep loving when you don't want to, when it hurts
because they lied- love isn't what you feel
what you see, or how fast your heart beats
love is making lunch
playing chauffeur
[or playing pretend]
love is telling the truth when you don't want to
and being ok with making them mad at you
it's crying with
laughing with
and being there.
it's always giving, and waiting out the storms
sometimes it's more patience than you thought you had. [but The Giver always
gives you more if you ask]

oh, child, the sun is worth the storms.

weather the rain
and lightening
and howling winds. love repays itself.
the sacrifice is worth it. the giving is worth it.
relationships are worth it.
love is worth love; it is its own reward.