The Bittersweet Taste of Love and Loss

As I sat watching Autumn in New York, a movie starring Richard Gere and Winona Ryder, one line resonated deeply with me: "I love food because it's the only beautiful thing that nourishes." But it was another theme that struck a chord - the risk of loving others when there's the possibility of losing them.

By clicking on the picture, I earn a small
commission if you purchase through Amazon.

Will Keane, played by Richard Gere, is a man who has built walls around his heart, afraid to love again after past hurts. I understand that fear intimately. After 33 years of marriage, I'm now navigating the treacherous waters of separation and divorce. The thought of loving again seems daunting, even terrifying.


But as I reflect on my journey, I realize that the fear of loving again is also a fear of loving myself. For so long, I defined myself through my relationship, my role as a partner, and my identity as a wife. Now, I'm forced to confront the question: who am I outside of that relationship?


Learning to live myself, to find my own identity, and to love myself has been a painful but necessary process. It's like learning to eat again after a long illness - uncertain, awkward, but ultimately nourishing.


Just as Will learns, I'm coming to understand that loving others is a risk worth taking, even when it means facing the possibility of loss. But first, I must learn to love myself, to find my own beauty, and to nourish my own soul.


As I embark on this new chapter, I'm reminded that love, like food, nourishes us in ways nothing else can. And though the risk of loss is ever-present, I'm learning to embrace the beauty of love, the beauty of living, and the beauty of being myself.

© 2024 AKeenPerspective SDKeen

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Beauty of Being Unapologetically Yourself

Image
As I drove down the rustic backroads, I stumbled upon a sight that left me in awe. A woman was walking her enormous Roly Poly black and white pig, just as one would walk their dog. What struck me wasn't just the unusual pet, but the woman's confidence and comfort in being different. Meta AI generated a photo based on my description of what I saw. In a world where conformity is often encouraged, it's refreshing to see someone embracing their individuality. The woman didn't seem embarrassed or apologetic about her unconventional pet; instead, she exuded a sense of freedom and joy. As I passed by, I couldn't help but reflect on my own life. How often do I hold back from being my true self, afraid of judgment or rejection? Yet, in that moment, I saw the beauty of unapologetic self-expression. The woman and her pig reminded me that being different is what makes us unique and beautiful. By embracing our quirks and individuality, we can live more authentic, fulfilling live...
Read more

Nature's Messengers: How Animals Help Us Navigate Life's Journeys

Image
In many American Indian cultures, animals were considered messengers of the Great Spirit, carrying guidance and wisdom. Encounters with wild animals were seen as opportunities for spiritual growth and self-reflection. I've always been fascinated by this idea, and recently, I've been wondering: does God really guide animals to cross our paths to convey messages? This concept isn't unique to American Indian cultures; the Bible also contains stories of animals being used as messengers from God. For example: - _Numbers 22:22-35_: A donkey sees an angel of the Lord and refuses to move, saving the life of its owner, Balaam. _1 Kings 17:4-6_: Ravens bring food to the prophet Elijah during a time of famine.  _Jonah 1:17_: A whale swallows Jonah, leading to his repentance and ministry.  _Genesis 8:8-12_: A dove returns to Noah's ark with an olive leaf, signaling the end of the flood and a new beginning. In the past week, I've had an unusual series of encounters with wild ani...
Read more

Embracing the Wild: My Garden, My Rules

Image
As I step into my garden, I'm surrounded by a tapestry of colors, textures, and life. It's a space where I embrace the beauty of imperfection, let go of control, and allow nature to take its course. My garden reflects my soul - wild, free, and unapologetic. I delight in the volunteers that sprout up, unexpected and uninvited. They're the rebels of the plant world, refusing to be confined to neat rows and tidy beds. I let them grow, spread, and flourish, because they remind me that life is full of surprises, and sometimes the best things come from unexpected places. And in years when money has been tight, these volunteers have been a lifeline. I've had seasons where tomato and tomatillo plants sprouted up in abundance, providing enough fresh produce to keep us well-fed.  And then there are the mini-pumpkins that sprout up, allowing me to decorate for my favorite season without spending a dime. It's a reminder that abundance can be wild and free and that sometimes the...
Read more