Surely

In my youth I had detrmined what love was and was not. Surely it was easy. Surely it was right. Surely I would know to stay or surely know to go. Surely. Surely. Surely. But surely I did not, and surely it was not anything like I once though. After a time, the numbness ebbed, and it was time to rebuild. I began to live, my heart began to thaw, and from within an extraordinary change took place that left my peers in awe. At first it was quite normal. Though people rarely begged forgiveness, I forgave them anyway. I began to see the little needs I could meet along my way. I could buy my mother's groceries when I went home to visit. I could kiss my dear father, hug brothers and sisters, and, grieving or celebrating, could lend my heart to others. No one would go without, at least not on my watch. But this doesn't sound unusual, so what filled them all with shock? They caught a glimpse of the broken creature they never knew I was. They began to see the scars and imperfections--not all of them--but some. Through their surprise I began to understand what love truly was. For surely I loved them more than my anger Surely I loved them more than my sorrow. Surely I loved them more than my money. Surely I loved them more than my pride. Surely I loved them more than myself. So when they ask me why I do what I do, I say, "Because I love you," and mean it.