I Love You

The light turned off and you lay down in bed and said “I love you” and I said it back.   But it is so different from the beginning of our relationship when the words “I love you” we’re no where near enough to say all my heart felt.  At the start of our relationship those words were so small in comparison to what I felt.  

At times now they seem rote.   Yes of course we say them and we mean them but they are so different then the young love of so long ago.   

On Facebook today I saw the 40th anniversary of a couple and he has Lou Gehrig's.   A couple of years ago he signed his anniversary card with his foot as his hands couldn’t.   At times I marvel at a relationship like this and a love like this.   

Later it hits me.    This is my life.   It’s a different diagnosis but still my life.   This year will be our 27th wedding anniversary plus the five we were together before that.   I will never have a 40th or 50th anniversary.    But I pray that what at times seems rote continues to be real.