"The folks have been here today, but have gone to their homes. The
clatter of racing feet, the laughter and babble of tongues have ceased.
We are alone, We two. We two whom destiny
has made one. Long ago, it has been sixty years since we met under the
June trees. I kissed you first. How shy and afraid was your girlhood.
Not any woman on earth or in heaven could be to me what you are. I would
rather you were here, woman, with your gray hair, than any fresh
blossom of youth. Where you are is home. Where you are not is
homesickness. As I look at you I realize that there is something greater
than love, although love is the greatest thing in earth. It is loyalty.
For were I driven away in shame you would follow. If I were burning in
fever your cool hand would soothe me. With your hand in mine may I pass
and take my place among the saved of Heaven. Being eight years the
eldest—and as the years went by and I felt that the time of parting
might be near—it was often the drift of our thought and speech: how
could either of us be left alone. Alone, after living together for 56
years. I scarcely dared think of it and though a bit selfish comforted
myself thinking [that] according to our age I would not be the one left
alone."-John Clark 1921
Reading this poem gives me the happiest chills! There are a million poems that profess love in the world, lots of them flattering and adoring, but this one absolutely, hands down, wins. Today after my Family Foundations class I just kind of sat there after class for a second, with my head overflowing with why I never know if I'm doing life the way It's supposed to be done. My religion teacher followed me out to ask me "why don't i believe you?" in response to my, "no, i'm totally good!" He said "walk, and talk?", and I'm eternally grateful he did. I didn't climb into my snowy car knowing what to do, but I felt like my purpose was just a little more solid. Growing where I'm currently planted, and then moving if I'm going the wrong direction. Then it's "Faith more than Fear", and walking into the dark.
"He may remind us that the crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty" -Elder Holland (This concept isn't just for romantic love- it's for the best love)
