Fleeting Moments, Powerful Memories

Isn't it funny how the most fleeting moments bring back the most powerful memories? I was quietly sitting on the floor, folding laundry this morning, with the rest of the house still sleeping peacefully, when I came upon the old, raggedy T-shirt Dante had been wearing just yesterday. I instantly found myself complaining in my head, thinking, "Why doesn't he just wear something DIFFERENT once in a while, spend a tiny fraction of time pretending as if he cares what he looks like?"

But then, quick as a flash, those thoughts were replaced with something far more profound, long-lasting and telling, not only about Dante but about me and how I've come to view our relationship.

I freely admitted to myself that, even though the statement above was and is certainly true on some occasions, that shirt (and the others like it in his top dresser drawer) symbolizes the tried and true, well-worn, ever present guarantee of his enduring love for me. Why? Well, because it is so decisively him, at his rawest, most down-to-earth self. And also because I've been there with him (mostly) for the entire life of the shirt, which spans considerable time and has born witness to many important events in our life together.

All this thinking and pondering makes me want to go hug him long and hard, to lay down besides his sleeping form, to gently nudge him awake with my lips and tongue, to overwhelm myself with HIM. Unfortunately, those thoughts will have to wait, of course, because even though we've had (and will have again today) more alone time during the day than we've literally had in months, I'm still sicker than sick and do NOT want to make Dante any sicker than he already is.

So for now, I'll just try to take comfort in living out all those naughty thoughts in my head!