Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Dear Lover - An Open Letter

Dear Lover,

I don't know where in the world you are or what you're up to, but you're on my mind. Not because of what day it is. No. Today is not any more important than yesterday or tomorrow. Not when it comes to you, because you're always on my mind - regardless of special occasions. Today my thoughts of you do not come out of obligation or because they are expected, like they do for others. No, today my thoughts of you are organic. Natural.

In fact, I dedicate a thought to you every day. Sometimes two. Or three. Or four.

And each thought consists of wonder, what-if, awe, hope, patience and, most importantly, of love. Sometimes the thought is fleeting and other times it lingers, keeping me company as I go through the motions of the day, as I tow my line, as I stumble along my path.

The fourteenth of February holds no significance to me, except it's another day in which I wait. And wonder. And this, well, this is my message of love.  

Lover, I've made mistakes.

It's true. At times, I've been impatient and pushy, selfish and cold. I've hurt people. And, I've allowed myself to be hurt by others, more times than I can admit. To some, I've given too much. To others, I've given too little. The truth is, I've demanded much more than I am entitled. Wanted things I knew people couldn't give. Needed things people would never provide.

There are moments I am not proud of. Moments of weakness, fright, lust, pettiness, and, though it embarrasses me to admit, moments of viciousness. Of true callousness. There have been things I've uttered in anger that have been razor sharp and cruel. In the heat of the moment, I've let things pass through my lips that never should have escaped into this world, simply because they are mean. Hateful. Riddled with disappointment and sorrow.

I told myself they were said for the sake of honesty, but that is a lie. They were said out of panic, pain and the clawing knowledge of being completely off course and hating the person I was. These are excuses, though. And I take responsibility for my mistakes. My anger. My childish temper tantrums. My harsh words and actions. I take responsibility for the heartache I've caused. But these are things I cannot take back.

Lover, you've made mistakes.

And like mine, yours cannot be undone either. The things you've said and done. The insensitivity, hurt, sorrow, harsh words and careless actions, the indifference. None of it can be erased. I will know your mistakes because they are similar to mine. I will recognize them and understand they are a part of you. The same goes for all the things you've done right. And the other lovers you've given a part of yourself to. They are what has brought you to me. Brought us to our beginning.

It is your past, and I know I can't change it. That it is yours and yours alone. It is not mine. I have no place in it. I cannot dabble or dwell. I cannot be jealous, angry, or upset. On the other hand, I cannot try to heal you of it either. The grief and pain you hold in your heart are yours. Not mine. And I cannot clear them away or make it better. It is up to you to do that.

Lover, I understand.

I understand you've been hurt and you understand I have. And I know there are things you need, things you want, ones you can express and ones you can't. I understand the need to take time. To grow. To heal. To live and stretch our wings and go slow. To find ourselves. I understand how far away we are, but also how close we could be. And that our paths will cross when they are meant too.

Above everything else, I understand that when I see you, I'll recognize you.

It isn't a matter of your face. But a matter of your heart. I understand the beauty you posses without you showing me. Your light shines through, it always has, and it always will. It will help me. As I hope my light helps you. I understand it will take awhile for our possibilities to manifest themselves. And I understand I must be patient.

Lover, don't give up.

Our past paths are riddled with broken promises, brutal truths, lies we've told others and the ones we've told ourselves. You carry your past with you, as I carry mine with me. But we cannot mend the hearts we've broken, except our own. In order to do so, we must keep moving forward. And the easiest way to undo the bad we've done is to do a little bit of good.

Love is good.

To love is the only way through the darkness, the only way through the desolation and solitary ways we covet. It's the way to the truth. To see what exists beyond. To come to terms with why we are here. How we will get through. Where we are going. And when it will all pull together and make sense. If anything, we must keep hope, have faith and never give up.

This space and distance, this without-ness, doesn't exist. I'm always with you, and you with me. Even though we've never met. Even though we've never touched. You dwell in my heart. You have a permanent residence there. You are at home with me. We are never alone.

Lover, I promise. 



I will surrender, fall on my knees, give over to love. And embrace the nice things. Cherish the sweet things, the ones that leave me light and happy and warm. Remember the good times. And learn from the bad. To enjoy every second. No matter how fleeting our moments our, I will hold them near my heart and let them speak for themselves.

I promise to show affection.

At times, I will let my hands do the talking. My mouth will taste yours. I will swallow your secrets and keep them as close to me as my own. With my lips, I will show you what desire is, and ply kisses to every part of you. I promise to make love to you and allow you to make love to me. And, when you are not near, I will make love to myself with the memory of your body and hands and laugh and soul.

And I promise to remain true and honest. I will watch what I say and not let fear, doubt, worry and hurt guide me. I promise to simply exist in your presence. To laugh. To cry. To give you the full rainbow of my emotions. To trust you. And trust myself. My heart. My gut. My intuition. My choices. Above everything else, I promise not to taint our love with cynicism. I promise to be open to love.

I guess what I am saying is...

Lover, I love you.

Unconditionally. Without question. Without reason. Without understanding. Without pain. Without worry. Without fear. Without heartache.

Wherever you are.

Whenever you appear.

Whoever you're with.

However you will take it.

I love you.

~T

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkDWLFD5DAg

Tee said...

Andrew. said...

That was, astounding. Just amazing. Okay, two things there.

Andrew. said...

That was astounding. I think that was one of the most amazing things I have ever read.

Jasmine Walt said...

You're awesome, T. <3

Noelle Pierce said...

Awww, I love you, too, sugar bean.

Tee said...

@ Noelle - I knew you'd understand!

@Jasmine - ♥

Anonymous said...

http://youtu.be/jFg3ObyVPhc

Unknown said...

Absolutely, utterly wonderfully said. You are amazing.

Tee said...

Thank you, Jessica. Amazing is bit far, but I apprecaite that.

Evangeline said...

Brave. And probably the exact opposite of my thinking in just about every way :)

Tee said...

Speakth from the hearteth. OR something like that.

Evangeline said...

I did actually write something from the cold little rock that sits where my heart should be but I haven't yet posted it because a) it makes me seem like a real bitch and b) I don't want to give my stalker any more ammunition.

Maybe tomorrow.

Tee said...

I did the cold, heart of stone thing. But, as it turns out, it's not for me.

I'm more of a lover. Under normal circumstances.

Anonymous said...

I missed that one...who was the author, lass?

Tee said...

Pookie. <3

Anonymous said...

DAMN IT! Less than 3 again.....I'll have to do better

Tee said...

Yes, you should.

Floxy said...

That was exceptional, tee. I accept your apology in full payment for the misery you caused me. First blog of yours I read in over a year. I happened to pick the right one.

Tee said...

I am so sorry you are still caught up on it, Floxy. I really am. I think you need to learn to love yourself, and leave the negative behind. Until you fully love yourself, you won't understand love for another.

It is with love and understanding that I've let you go.

I can only hope, one day, you leave me with the same love and understanding.

I have taken ownership of the misery I caused myself. You must take responsibility for the misery you've caused yourself.

Until then, you won't know happiness or understand the path.

<3

Anonymous said...

"Until then, you won't know happiness or understand the path."

Sounds like a bit of preaching here, lass. xxx

Anonymous said...

Am I surprised? No, not really. xxx

Tee said...

You can believe it to be whatever you wish, Pookie. That is the beauty of the intersnacks.

Mike Moffit said...

That was lovely.

Floxy said...

Glad to hear you are being more objective about yourself. Having one unflattering picture didn't make you a bad person, or, even, an unattractive one. Telling you you had one bad picture didn't make me a stalker. Or a potential murderer, or wife beater, or woman hater, all the labels you and your friends tried to hang on me.

I agree that we have to learn to accept that we often cause our own misery, but we have to take ownership of the misery we cause others, as well.

But for now, I'm happy, you're happy and the world keeps turning, hardly caring a whit about it.

Tee said...

I still here anger and bitterness in your words.

It is only with love and understanding which we can let things go, or else they haunt us.

Good luck with your journey.