I Saw Love Today

I Saw Love Today

Not in a card adorned
With glitter and hearts
Not in a church hosting
A woman in white
And a man in a tux
Not even at a table
Lit by candles.

I saw love 
In a hospital
In the voice of a woman
Speaking for her husband
Advocating through grief-filled tears
For his final wishes
For a merciful, peaceful release

I saw love
In a young woman
Sitting beside her dying father
Holding his hand
Telling him stories
Expressing her love
Sitting, being present
Love embodied

I saw love
In a daughter
Pulling strength
From deep within
Speaking truth
Selflessly supporting
Her dad’s wishes
Bravely explaining
All he has endured
To be her dad,
Their dad
And out of that love
Expressing gratitude
For what has been
And releasing now
From suffering
Acknowledging the truth
Of what cannot be.

I saw love today
In these three women
Walking together 
Holding each other up
Crying, sharing, laughing
Only they 
Truly knowing
How great a loss
They are experiencing

I saw love today
In a beautiful
Hand-made quilt
Cloaking a man
So gentle and kind
A man so full of love
For these women
It filled the room.


I saw love in nurses
Whose eyes radiated compassion
Whose hands worked
With a tender touch
Whose knowledge
Offered strength
And decrease of suffering.

I saw love
In medical providers
Accepting their limitations
Acknowledging the inevitable
Despite heroic attempts
To change that path
Medical providers speaking truth
With humility and compassion.

I saw love
In old friends
Being present
Where few dare to be
Setting aside all else
And standing sentry
Carrying a magic bag
Of sustenance
Giving a ride
When tears block vision

I saw love
In a pastor
Speaking truth
Offering prayer
And compassion
With no demands
Supporting this family
Who so embody love.

I saw love today
And what an honor it is
To know and be present with
This family
This woman who has dedicated her life
To serving 
And being love incarnate.