She answers the phone, knowing it is me. And she listens, even tho it causes her pain. She supports me, encourages me, grounds me to reality when I need it, and elevates me to the clouds when I am too serious. When I thought I couldn’t make it, couldn’t go on, when I just wanted to crawl to a corner and die of pain and grief, she refused to let me. Wehn I thought there must be something wrong with me, she assured me I was sane. She has seen me thru abuse and separation, helped me heal from the damage inflicted. She has seen me fall in love, she stood by my side as I married, and she held me when that marriage fell apart. She refused to let me stop, she stayed with me while I mourned. She loved me when I felt unloved, and unlovable.
And then she held my hand as I took a few scared steps. And she told me I could fly, and when I didn’t listen she pushed me off the cliff… and I flew. And she has stayed with me as things have turned around, as I have flown and soared – a home of my own, new friends, new job, new love. She has stayed and listend and consoled and advised, laughed and supported and cried and raged and loved – all while going thru her own personal nightmares.
I know my happiness hurts her, and she still answers the phone.
I love her.