Known

December 23, 2007

Slowly they hobble toward the waiting bench; their oasis. He carries only his briefcase and her purse; she carries only their coats, yet they seem to be struggling, out of breath from the weight of their burdens.

At last, triumphantly, they arrive at the bench and sit down next to one another. He retrieves a small box of crackers from his briefcase and presents them to her. Her wrinkled hands receive them and they feast together in happy silence.

They don’t even need to speak at this point. Their silvered hair and weathered faces speak of a long history together – of long and passionate kisses in their youth, of cold and sleepless nights apart, of crying infants placed into their arms, screaming teenagers slamming doors in their faces, and steady embraces with endless hot tears cried onto each other’s shoulders when they weren’t sure if they would make it through.

They don’t need to speak anymore, but now I see that they do. They are fully known. They have faced it all. They know each other inside and out; their hearts beat as one. They let their trials bring them closer; they chose each other over themselves. They have true intimacy.

How I long to be known like that…

And I will be.