Love in All its Forms

Love comes in many forms.

In romances Love is the stirring of the heart, the desire to be with the one loved, even the hot, lusty need for another person.

My thoughts go out to the families of those injured in the shooting the other day. A Senator, a Judge, a little girl and others.

In situations like these Love takes on a very different aspect.

When the loved one is gone, Love is being with the survivor giving hugs when needed, speaking when words are wanted and silently grieving when that is what is called for.

When the loved one survives but is not unharmed, then Love is spending hours upon hours, days that turn into months and years at a hospital, a rehabilitation facility while a loved one learns how to hold a spoon, how to put on socks, how to live again. Love is watching at the one you felt that stirring of the heart over, the one you lusted for become a whole person, but that whole person may not be the same person.

Ken and I did not fall in love. We fell in lust with one another. Love followed. Love is still there even though Ken is not the same man I fell in lust with. He is mentally and physically different yet he is still the same wonderful person. I wouldn’t leave him for the world. When I dream I dream of Ken, the healthy, vivacious, intriguing, sexy man I love. During the day, I care for the wonderful, mischievous, quiet, loving man I married. He has not spoken a word in seven years, yet with his eyes I see he cares for me as much as I care for him.

Would I change things? Yes. If I could. But backwards or forwards time travel is only a thing in the novels I read and write.

However, circumstances are not what determine my love for Ken. My heart determines that.

I understand those that choose differently. Sometimes the burden is too heavy, too painful and too heart wrenching to endure. The Love never leaves even then.

Right now, my heart goes out to not only those families and victims of the latest shooting, but to everyone who loves someone and cares for someone who is no longer there or no longer who they once were. It is a hard, heart-rending activity. If I had to choose between taking part of this kind of adventure and turning away from my husband I would always choose this adventure.

Love, after all, Endures in Many Forms.