Love’s Garden
In the budding of life, love was family.
New parents trying to do the right thing. Cry. Laugh. Hug.
It was new words and first steps, long nights and songs to
sleep.
Growing.
In Kindergarten, love was friends.
Coloring blank canvas adorned with sketches of cartoons.
Nap. Play. Run.
It was play-do shapes and imaginary games, playing house in
the sand box.
Growing.
In elementary school, love was learning.
Desks in organized rows like patches of grass separating
city streets. Organized. Homework. Backpack.
It was having
the box of crayons with the sharpener, diagramming sentences into distorted
stick figures.
Growing.
In middle
school, love was caddy.
Whispers
behind backs of friends. Fight. Choke.
Façade.
It was
sitting at the right lunch table,
“you’re poor- lunch in a plastic bag?” she said.
Growing.
In high
school, love was unrequited.
Heart
flutters and butterflies to look at you. Ignoring the reality. Deception.
Forgiveness. Naive.
It was in the
form of an old Cadillac and slow songs, shoulders of friends wiping away tears.
Growing.
In college,
love was freedom.
Thousands of
ants scattering to-and-fro, searching for themselves. Happiness. Adulthood.
Change.
It was no
classes on Friday, parties in the Webb. Some fair-weather friends- come and
gone.
Growing.
In marriage,
love was unconditional.
Flaws become
perfection. Made in His likeness for each other. One. Friendship. Family.
Walking down
an aisle to pledge forever, patience and kindness guiding us through life.
Growing.
In death,
love is remembrance.
Memories kept
safe in your legacy. Stories past down from year to year. Eternal. Treasure. Recollect.
Live life
well- to have lessons learned. Immortalize the mark you left on the world.
