A little over ten years ago, a wise older friend told me something that, at the time, left me feeling rather disappointed, but now gives me comfort and peace.

We tend to think that love is like a loop or two-way street: I love you, you love me, but that’s inaccurate. Love is more like a web. You love in many different directions. If you’re lucky, some will be reciprocated from the recipients of your love, but more will come from unexpected and even unwarranted sources. 

We make the mistake of expecting and even demanding that our love be reciprocated by those we give it to, but the truth is some don’t have the capability, let alone the desire to love as you need. Instead, God blesses us with other sources of love, but we only see them when we leave ourselves open to receive them.

So what am I saying? Don’t be so focused on who doesn’t love you that you stop giving and miss out on who’s loving you just because.

Love will find its way back to you.

I wrote this in the early 00s, but it’s still a piece I’m very proud of. Just thought I’d share it. Enjoy.

I held you close to me like
I had a thousand times before,
trying to fulfill a need in me that still lacks description.

I held you close as
I humbled myself to the realization of needing you,
releasing my pride and myself without shame.

I held you close to me and
emotions without name welled up,
overflowing to fill the cracks and recesses of my wounded heart.

I held you close, wanting
nothing from you but this moment and
you held me with an understanding arm.

I held you close to me and
for the very first time I felt your heart pounding in your chest and
I knew that, somehow, the need was mutual.