As I watched him walk through the door
I recognized the difference in his stride
and with a smile I poured his cup and asked for a quick break
with my green apron off, I joined him in our two favorite seats.

"You seem to be well"
He said with a smile
"but I've missed you too much.
I knew when you realized that this season was far from over,
you'd buck
(You always do, ya know)
There's two ways to handle the news you received
and you managed to choose the more difficult path.
I need you to hold on and press in.
I've promised this season will come to an end."

I watched as his playful eyes grew intense and I sighed
"I'm miserable.
I manage to keep myself busy and to smile but
I've never felt so cold before.
My emotions are dry and brittle and my dreams have long since fled.
Nothing really seems to matter and no one really cares.
When will all this change?
I want to live again. I want to feel excitement about my life.
I'm so alone ... at times it feels as if you've left me too.
I miss you."

No more words were spoken aloud.
My eyes locked into His and I fought back the tears that rose up inside.
He stood to go and looked down with a smile.
I couldn't read the fire in his eye.
As he walked towards the door, I sat dumbfounded
he turned to me and blew me a kiss.
On the air was a sweet, new aroma full of the promises of old.
"Draw near to me and I will draw near to you"
I looked up to see him walk out the door and
as I rose, I caught wind of his kiss
"And lo, I am with you always"
whispered in my ear as I returned to work.

06/24/2003