Why we say 'we do'...

(post I wrote in November)

Today, during my lunch break, I passed an elderly man in the park. He and I were both crunching through the leaves, admiring the hundreds of flags up everywhere. As he passed, he said, "Beautiful, aren't they?" and I said, "Yes." Of course. With the sun behind them, the fall leaves around them, and children running around beneath them, they were breathtaking. He smiled, gave a lingering glance at me, and contined on his way...a few moments later, I saw him meet his wife on the sidewalk, and they walked on through the park hand-in-hand. I pondered this...then become lost in thought on the whole thing. Then, had to finally write down the deep reflection I'd had on age...and companionship. I thought I'd share, because a little bit of insight, from any age, can usually only do good...

Ponderings...

When you are young, you think everyone around you is interested in what you think, what you say, what you do, how you look, where you go, etc.
And in most cases, because you are at the peak of your vitality and potential, they do.
They call you beautiful. They call you wise beyond your years. They praise your talents and achievements. They admire your energy and abilities.

But a strange things happens as the years of your life crawl by, etching lines on your face and patience on your heart:
you don't matter as much to other people anymore.
As harsh as it is to say it, it's true.

Your beauty has been worn out and stretched with time.
Your wisdom is no longer impressive, but expected.
There is little left to achieve, save contentedness.
And life has made you tired, and limited in the things you are now able to do.
At this place in your journey, you will begin to be interested in the young ones that surround you...
what they think, what they say, what they do,
how they look, where they go, etc.

And they will tell you all, eagerly, excitedly,
their hearts so full of youth
that they can't even see the faint ember of youth's existence
struggling out from behind your eyes.

This is why we choose a companion.

This is why we need another human being at our side,
who has seen a similar amount of sunsets and sunrises...
heartaches and happiness...
successes and failures...
greetings and farewells,
and can understand and appreciate the journey we've been through
in a way more profound than anyone else can.

Because when everyone else ceases to care,
or cares...but simply cares less,
the companion can be there
to squeeze your hand with empathy and say,
"I do..."

When everyone else cease to look,
or looks....but simply sees nothing to admire,
the companion can be there
to touch your cheek with appreciation and say,
"I do..."

When everyone else ceases to consider where you're going,
or considers...but knows that wherever it is...it's not far,
the companion can be there
to wipe away a tear as they say,
"I do..."
Because they care very much where you go.
And worry every day about when you will do so.

They look at wrinkles, and see laughter.
They look at frail limbs, and see adventures.
They look at gray hair, and see trials overcome.
They look at tired eyes, and see love.

And that is why, during youth,
we say "I do."

Because at the end, when youth has left us alone with nothing and no-one except that companion,
those subsequent "I do"s mean more than anything that ever came before it.