This piece was written during a live writing session with Beth Kempton
Love begins like this with sparks. Just tiny flickers.
The occasional look or glance. A tummy flutter sending a shiver through the body down the spine making shoulders quiver.
Next is a smile a note of acceptance, of communication between two souls.
This is early love where the physical yearnings cannot be tamed. Where passion takes over and wipes everything from the mind and eyes. It becomes fierce until it is quenched by that rush of joining.
Older love is not like this. It is steady and gentle.
It is kindness and consideration. It is give and take.
It is appreciation of the whole - mind, heart, voice. It is feeling safe.
Feeling at home with slippers sitting in front of a fire. Where the comforting food that is served is always on the menu. It is space and time alone, knowing that it won’t be long before you are joined again. It is a hug. It is an arm around your shoulders and the offer of a tissue.
It is holding hands wherever you are.
I hope you enjoyed this piece and would consider sharing the Gentle Pen with others who you feel might enjoy reading it.
This is absolutely gorgeous, my friend. So many people continually chase that rush of 'first love', they miss that deep, abiding love that never has a chance to grow. I'm so happy that you have the steady one holding your hand. 💞
Beautiful. I loved your final line - It is holding hands wherever you are.