Written by Karen D. Swim
If you really love(d) me. Stevie Wonder sang it, author, Ann Rule wrote about its tragic turn and for centuries pubescent boys have uttered the words to girls reluctant to take the next step.
The phrase, whether whispered in harmless flirtation or thrown down like a gauntlet becomes a veiled threat to defend your proclamations of ardor or risk losing the object of your affection.
Real love, however is not motivated by fear. It does not require us to offer up our values or beliefs for slaughter. Love makes you wanna holler but never forces it.
Love does not force sacrifice but inspires a willingness to give. You arise at dawn to run because you’d rather run in the cool morning air than sleep a few extra hours. You attend a chamber music concert when you’d rather be listening to Amy Winehouse because you love the look that passes over your lover’s face as the music rocks his soul. You compromise your schedule, your willingness to try new things not because you have to but because it’s what you do for love.
So, I ask what would you do for love? Will you follow the muse simply because she beckons or do you view her as an interloper forcing you to the blank canvas? Does the call of creativity leave you breathlessly anticipating what’s next or cringing in fear that you will not live up to its expectations?
Are you willing to meet your lover at dawn to dance among the dew covered trees ? Or will you roll over as your lover sits alone watching the play of colors in the sky as the sun ascends in the horizon?
Will you go off to a job that you hate as your bliss forlornly waves good-bye or will you find a way to be with the one you really love?
Years from now, will your lover neglected and angry ask “If you really loved me….?”
Tuesday Love List
- A Love Affair with Books
- Word Strumpet – Writing Techniques
- Slow Blogging
- Water for Elephants: A Novel