She has been a part of my life for 59 years. I've always loved her but like in any relationship there have been times when I haven't liked her. However, no matter what, I have always been loyal to her and supported her decisions. While I've been blind to many of her faults, I know deep down that there's nobody more wonderful, generous or caring than she is.
I've always been amazed how she's welcomed everyone with open arms and offered them a safe place to call home. She's been generous to a fault and because of this a lot of people have taken advantage of her. They have used her in every way imaginable and dismissed her without giving her a second thought. She was once so beautiful she would take your breath away. Unfortunately years of abuse has taken its toll on her but she still remains beautiful despite her scars and wrinkles.
Sometimes I have a hard time feeling sorry for her. After all she takes this abuse year after year but still extends a helping hand to those who need it. I get angry at her but at the end of the day I still love her unconditionally and stand in awe at how she maintains her dignity despite all the chaos that surrounds her.
She's my hero because of her strength, compassion and wisdom. I truly believed that nothing could hurt her, she's that strong. As a matter of fact I have taken for granted that she will always be there for me, a pillar of strength that I can always lean on. I never once consider that she would ever doubt herself or be so vulnerable or need me to lean on, until yesterday.
Yesterday her heart was broken and her once unbending spirit and trust was forever crushed. To see her this way, broken and weak made me want to cry. I didn't think it was possible, she lost her spirit and confidence, she doubted herself. At first I was disappointed and angry, I couldn't believe she would allow herself to be so vulnerable and show such ignorance and weakness.
Then I stepped back for a moment and remembered all the reasons why I loved her and everything that she's done for me. Then seeing her so defenseless and helpless and her spirit shattered like the pieces of twisted steel and glass that surrounded her beautiful figure, I realized that I even loved her more.
Today my love for her has never been more intense or stronger. I realize now I took her for granted and tolerated the way others treated her. I vow I will never again stand for another person showing her disrespect. I will protect her at all costs and help her recover from her wounds. These are wounds that run deep but I know they will heal in time.
I know with my help and the help of all those who love her she will stand tall and proud once again and her spirit restored. Maybe she will have learned a lesson in all this and be more wary of those she lets near her.
If she learned from her mistakes then maybe I can find some meaning, something positive to grab a hold of amidst all the pain and suffering.
One thing's for sure I will never take her for granted again, I will wear my love for her on my sleeve like a badge of honor. Most of all I will take the time to thank her for everything that she stands for and has given me, she's indeed one of a kind.
God Bless America
