I AM THE OBJECT OF YOUR LOVE

AND YOU ARE THE OBJECT OF MY LOVE

THEN WE ARE EACH FREE

TO BE OURSELVES.

WHEN SECURE IN YOUR LOVE

I NEED NOT CONTROL YOU,

MANIPULATE YOU,

COMPETE WITH YOU,

OR REMAKE YOU IN MY IMAGE

I ADMIRE YOU,

ACCEPT YOU TOTALLY,

RESPECT AND TRUST YOU

BUT I DO NOT FEEL I MUST APOLOGIZE

FOR NOT BEING LIKE YOU

FOR THINKING DIFFERENT THOUGHTS

FEELING DIFFERENT EMOTIONS,

ENJOYING SOMETHING YOU DON’T

OR BEING EXCITED ABOUT

SOMETHING THAT BORES YOU

IF I DENY WHO I AM

I HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE YOU

BUT A MINDLESS CHINA DOLL;

AN EMPTY SHELL WHO IS NOT A

REAL WOMAN

BUT A TOY YOU’VE OUTGROWN.

WHEN I SHARE WHT I THINK

IT IS NOT TO COERCE – OR

DEMAND THAT YOU AGREE.

I OFFER MYSELF TO PERSUADE –

ENCOURAGE-

BUT NOT TO DOMINATE.

WHATEVER I SHARE

IS A GIFT OF MY LOVE

AN ACT OF TRUST THAT YOU’LL ACCEPT ME

AND UNDERSTAND THAT

I’M MAKING AN OFFER,

AN HONEST DISCLOSURE;

NOT A POWER PLAY,

LOVE IS NOT POSSIBLE BETWEEN SUPERIORS

AND INFERIORS

SINCE THE SUPERIOR CAN ONLY CONDESCEND

AND THE INFERIOR ONLY ADMIRE

MUTUAL RESPECT MEANS I DO NOT EXPLOIT

EITHER YOUR STRENGTHS

OR YOUR WEAKNESSES,

BUT ENJOY YOU – A UNIQUE FRIEND

TO BELIEVE WE CAN HAVE A MARRIAGE OF

SUSTAINED MUTUAL RESPECT CAN ONLY MEAN

WE BELIEVE IN FOREGIVENESS!

SO WHEN I ASK, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

"WHAT ARE YOUR NEEDS?"

I AM NOT BEING SUBSERVIENT

NOR AM I GIVING MY WILL TO YOU.

I AM RATHER MAKING A CHOICE

A DECISION TO LOVE

TO TRULY GIVE – FOR THE JOY OF IT