Every time I look at a table carefully and lovingly decorated I see a promise.
A promise that soon loved ones will gather.
A promise that soon good times and laughter will pour
as freely as wine and sparkling cider from a frosted green bottle.
A promise that in the precious moments to come
there will only be one moment.
One moment frozen in time,
one moment set aside from all of the other moments of one’s life.
A moment pregnant with promise.
A Promise
But not all promises come wrapped in a package of thanksgiving and merriment. Some come wrapped in the human condition that has defined life in this body since time began. These promises demand the best of ourselves and may ultimately end is self-sacrifice. These are the mature promises that point the way to man’s glory. These are the promises that must be made, must be fulfilled.
A Promise
This is the kind of promise my husband made to me on the day we married. He vowed to be with me through sickness and through health. And true to his word, here he is. When I laugh, he laughs with me. When I cry, he cries with me. When I am too weak to get up, he lifts me. When I want to write or paint, he supports me. How did I ever get so lucky as to find such a man?
When is the last time you made a promise–a mature promise? When is the last time someone made a promise to you?
If your answer is never, it is not too late. Find someone to love. It doesn’t have to be a relative. It doesn’t have to be romantic. It doesn’t even have to be your first choice. It just has to be true. Surely you can find love in your heart for others. Surely you can receive. And when that happens you will understand how everything is a promise: a dewdrop, a child, a sunrise, an invitation, a book–a promise that life is to be lived. A promise that love is to be shared. A promise that even a table set in anticipation is a promise of love.
Every time I look at a table carefully and lovingly decorated I see a promise.
A promise that soon loved ones will gather.
A promise that soon good times and laughter will pour
as freely as wine and sparkling cider from a frosted green bottle.
A promise that in the precious moments to come
there will only be one moment.
One moment frozen in time,
one moment set aside from all of the other moments of one’s life.
A moment pregnant with promise.
A Promise Fulfilled
I think that I know you, until I read your latest (for the moment) blog. And I read a line, and I think to myself, what’s in the NEXT LINE?…and I’m always suprised . Like peeling a bloomin’ onion, this time in the middle of the night, one layer at a time….and a new bit of beauty, or wisdom, or inspiration, or truth, or laughter cones forth to amaze me about this wonderful person that I call “wife”.
I am truly blrssed.
Gayle, thank you for the words we wish we knew how to say. Your thoughts are precious gifts. And yes, what a man! After reading An Imperfect Life, I know even more deeply that he is a gem.
So beautifully written, this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, Gayle, for always approaching life through your “love filter”. xoxo
Overflowing love…<3
Your sharing of the good and not so good of life is done so beautifully Gayle.
You give others hope. Thank you and I wish you and Mike a very special Christmas of love and sharing.
You are such a gift to us! Thank you!
Sending love and prayers.
This is so beautiful, Gayle! What a beautiful table full of friends. There is so much love in all their eyes. My promise I make daily to the Earth, to the gardens and trees and to my beloved animals – to do my best, with all my strength and intent, to love and care for them and to let the world know how precious all life is. I guess I set a sort-of table twice a day when I put out seed for the birds and squirrels, grain and hay for the donkeys, and cat and dog food for my furries. It is always a time of love and sharing and joy, our own round table of the heart. Love, always, to you dear Gayle!
Gayle…. Sending you love and blessings from Abadiania, Brazil!
Highest Love, Francie
As usual you knocked it out of the park. Not only with your gifts of grace and courage but with your plethora of talents. You could get a lot of dames envious….write, paint, bike, cook, set a gorgeous table, snag a “hot” husband, and more that I don’t even know about. What did you prepare for dinner? Did it have Kale hidden in it? A lot of promises kept: beautiful table, food, wine, company, and your presence. Peace of mind, the best Christmas Gift!!!!! CUZ et al XO
One angel made a promise to another angel; fulfilling a promise.
What a beautiful thought and so well said. True love is rare and when one is fortunate enough to find it is more precious than anything. Blessings and Merry Christmas to you and Mike . Hugs, Wilma
I had written but guess it didn’t go for me. Your article was so inspiring as always. Loved the picture of you and Mike at your wedding. You were so right, it is fortunate to find a love like that and unfortunately to rare. Blessings and Prayers for you both, was so good to see you at the reunion. We never realize how precious life is till we get Cancer do we ? Merry Christmas to you both. Hugs, Wilma Watson Pitts
Gayle,
Your blogs are more more than just blogs, they are memorbilia.Your thoughts are deeper than most they reach into your soul! Jacob,Diana, and myself really are glad that we know a person such as you and mike,friendship is not the way to express our relationship,its goes deeper, its love.
P.S. WE enjoyed having dinner around that table with you all!
How I love this post, you and Mike, the people there.. that very special day and that beautifully set table!! My heart is full just knowing your love.
Karen
Oh you made me cry yet again woman. I cannot fathom how you can be on your deathbed and still be giving more than you are taking. I love you so much and will miss your sage wisdom, your bright spirit, your silence when most of us would be talking….but most of all, I will miss your unconditional love. I will try to honor the wonderfulness of you with how I manifest beauty in my own life.
Gayle, I don’t know if you will have the strength or health to read this, but a I haft to respond. This what you have written is so beautiful. The meaning will grow and grow and it’s seeds be planted. I know when those gather at your table of promise, you will be there too. I pray for comfort for You and all your loved ones and friends. Thank you for being you and for all you have done, and done it well. I love you.
Bobbie Lee
You have fulfilled so many lives with your love and wisdom. I will be eternally grateful to you. I am so happy to share your book with 5 of my loved ones for Christmas. Can’t think of any better gift, I love you friend.
Gayle, You have been in my thoughts and prayers. One of your sweet inspirations: “The right teachers will be sent to us at the right times.” Thank you for being one of those right teachers. Blessings. Martha
thank you, you have been on my mind for weeks. love charlie
Very special. Love one another❤️ Thanks for sharing.
All I can say is BEAUTIFUL!!
Thank you Gayle and Thank You Michael for sharing this with us.