Cherish

I've seen it a hundred times, maybe even more. The way a husband, wrinkled and worn from the cares of this world, holds tight to the hand of his wife as he looks with concern toward her. The caress of a wife as her husband of 48 years lies bedridden in hospital. The unspoken words that pass in a multitude of ways between a couple devoted to one another.

My own grandparents were an explosive couple. (Aren't they cute in this photo?) French Canadian and hot tempered, words flew between them like mad hornets. Yet I remember them speaking sweet words of love in French to one another as well, and singing love songs in both languages. They never went anywhere in public when they weren't holding hands. And while the words were often filling up the spaces of their life, plenty was said in the moments when no words were spoken at all.

What I love about these older couples is the sense that they not only love one another, but that they cherish one another. From my perspective, while our society is in love with being in love, we have forgotten what it is to cherish. That is what touches me so much about the moments I witness, at church, in hospitals, at restaurants, in senior villages...anywhere, really. The sense of accepting and loving a person as they have been, as they are right now, and as they will be tomorrow.

It's not just couples that should cherish one another. Brothers, sisters, friends...there are so many people in our lives that we have been blessed with. Time on this earth is short. And what we have of our time should be invested in truly discovering one another, letting ourselves be discovered, and learning to treasure our differences, our similarities, our connectedness.

For some of us, myself included, putting ourselves out there feels almost too risky, particularly after we've been hurt. However, relationships and people are worth it. The way that some people love is different from the way that we ourselves love. I try to remember in my own life that none of us "deserves" love...love is a gift! It is a gift that should be cherished.