A Partner’s Promise

I promise you patience and understanding. Shoes chewed, books de-covered, table legs gnawed and carpets dirtied, well, those are just things.
I promise you I’ll try to learn all you try to teach me. I’ll try to understand your rules and your ways. They’re strange to me, but always I’ll try. I’ll try to understand your words, but the language is new to me. Speak to me with your body and your heart – that, I understand.

I promise you time. I’ll put down the phone, push back from the computer and turn off the TV. I’ll throw the ball and toss the frisbee. We’ll hike the trails and run on the beaches. Explore the sites and swim in the ponds. Together we’ll spend time and seek adventures. 
I promise you my enthusiasm and my joy. I’ll show you how to appreciate the all and to live in the moment. I’ll show you how to love just being and being present. I’ll show you running for the pure joy of running. I’ll be a willing partner in your adventures.

I promise you my secrets. Dreams never shared, fears never before whispered, heartaches, joys, sadness and laughter. Your ears will hear it all and I’ll trust unconditionally.
I promise you I’ll listen with unconditional love. I’ll dry your tears with my kisses. I’ll sit a little closer, be a little quieter when you’re worried. I’ll be a little silly and make you laugh when you’re sad. I’ll be love.

I promise you good food and a warm bed.
I promise my enthusiastic appreciation of both. Your food warms my belly. The warm bed will sooth my sore joints as I grow older. The best of both is that they came from you for me.

I promise you my protection. Safe from fear, safe from the dangers of the world, safe from your own innocent mistakes. You are my responsibility and I won’t let you down.
I promise you my protection. Big or little, I’ll do my best to take care of you. I’ll die for you if I must. You are my responsibility, my person, my all. My reason for being. I won’t let you down.

I promise you I’ll find the courage to say good bye when it’s time. I’ll hold you in my lap and stroke your head. I’ll whisper how much I love you and how much I’ll miss you. My tears will freely flow with no one to kiss them away. I’ll keep you in my heart for always.
I promise I’ll never really leave you. My body will wear out and my heart will slow, but my love will never stop. My spirit will forever be entwined with yours. A part of me will always be in you and you in me. My heart and soul in yours.

I promise that while I’ll put your dishes and bed away, while I will gather up your toys, I’ll never forget you. I’ll never stop loving you.
I promise you I’ll be back in your dreams and thoughts and memories. Someday the memories will again be happy ones. I promise you. And someday we’ll be together again – to laugh and love and just be. Together again. I promise.