Yesterday was a hard day - found this....

A Different Perspective        

 Immense Loss; Walk a Mile in Baby’s Booties 

Imagine for a moment… 

You have met the person you've dreamed about all your life. He has every

quality that you desire in a spouse. You plan for the wedding, enjoying

every free moment with your fiancée. You love his touch, his smell, the way

he looks into your eyes. For

the first time in your life, you understand what is meant by "soul mate,"

for this person understands you in a way that no one else does. Your heart

beats in rhythm with his. Your emotions are intimately tied to his every

joy, his every sorrow. 

The wedding comes. It is a happy celebration, but the best part is that you

are finally the wife of this wonderful man. You fall asleep that night,

exhausted from the day's events, but relaxed and joyful in the knowledge

that you are next to the

person who loves you more than anyone in the world…the person who will be

with you for the rest of your life. 

The next morning you wake up, nestled in your partner's arms. You open your

eyes and immediately look for his face. 

But IT'S NOT HIM! You are in the arms of another man. You recoil in horror.

Who is this man? Where is your beloved? 

You ask questions of the new man, but it quickly becomes apparent that he

doesn't understand you. You search every room in the house, calling and

calling for your husband. The new guy follows you around, trying to hug you,

pat you on the

back,...even trying to stroke your arm, acting like everything is okay. 

But you know that nothing is okay. Your beloved is gone. Where is he? Will

he return? When? What has happened to him? 

Weeks pass. You cry and cry over the loss of your beloved. Sometimes you

ache silently, in shock over what has happened. The new guy tries to comfort

you. You appreciate his attempts, but he doesn't speak your language-either

verbally or

emotionally. He doesn't seem to realize the terrible thing that has

happened...that your sweetheart is gone. 

You find it difficult to sleep. The new guy tries to comfort you at bedtime

with soft words and gentle touches, but you avoid him, preferring to sleep

alone, away from him and any intimate words or contact. 

Months later, you still ache for your beloved, but gradually you are

learning to trust this new guy. He's finally learned that you like your

coffee black, not doctored up with cream and sugar. Although you still don't

understand his bedtime songs,

you like the lilt of his voice and take some comfort in it. 

More time passes. One morning, you wake up to find a full suitcase sitting

next to the front door. You try to ask him about it, but he just takes you

by the hand and leads you to the car. You drive and drive and drive. Nothing

is familiar. Where are

you? Where is he taking you? 

You pull up to a large building. He leads you to an elevator and up to a

room filled with people. Many are crying. Some are ecstatic with joy. You

are confused. And worried. 

The man leads you over to the corner. Another man opens his arms and sweeps

you up in an embrace. He rubs your back and kisses your cheeks, obviously

thrilled to see you. 

You are anything but thrilled to see him. Who in the world is he? Where is

your beloved? You reach for the man who brought you, but he just smiles

(although he seems to be tearing up, which concerns you), pats you on the

back, and puts your hand in

the hands of the new guy. The new guy picks up your suitcase and leads you

to the door. The familiar face starts openly crying, waving and waving as

the elevator doors close on you and the new guy. 

The new guy drives you to an airport and you follow him, not knowing what

else to do. Sometimes you cry, but then the new guy tries to make you smile,

so you grin back, wanting to "get along." You board a plane. The flight is

long. You sleep a lot,

wanting to mentally escape from the situation. 

Hours later, the plane touches down. The new guy is very excited and leads

you into the airport where dozens of people are there to greet you. Light

bulbs flash as your photo is taken again and again. The new guy takes you to

another guy who hugs

you. Who is this one? You smile at him. Then you are taken to another man

who pats your back and kisses your cheek. Then yet another fellow gives you

a big hug and messes your hair. 

Finally, someone (which guy is this?) pulls you into his arms with the

biggest hug you've ever had. He kisses you all over your cheeks and croons

to you in some language you've never heard before. 

He leads you to a car and drives you to another location. Everything here

looks different. The climate is not what you're used to. The smells are

strange. Nothing tastes familiar, except for the black coffee. You wonder if

someone told him that you

like your coffee black. 

You find it nearly impossible to sleep. Sometimes you lie in bed for hours,

staring into the blackness, furious with your husband for leaving you, yet

aching from the loss. The new guy checks on you. He seems concerned and

tries to comfort you with

soft words and a mug of warm milk. You turn away, pretending to go to

asleep. 

People come to the house. You can feel the anxiety start to bubble over as

you look into the faces of all the new people. You tightly grasp the new

guy's hand. He pulls you closer. People smile and nudge one other, marveling

at how quickly you've

fallen in love. Strangers reach for you, wanting to be a part of the

happiness. 

Each time a man hugs you, you wonder if he will be the one to take you away.

Just in case, you keep your suitcase packed and ready. Although the man at

this house is nice and you're hanging on for dear life, you've learned from

experience that men

come and go, so you just wait in expectation for the next one to come along.

Each morning, the new guy hands you a cup of coffee and looks at you

expectantly. A couple of times the pain and anger for your husband is so

great that you lash out, sending hot coffee across the room, causing the new

guy to yelp in pain. He just

looks at you, bewildered. But most of the time you calmly take the cup. You

give him a smile. And wait. And wait. And wait