It is difficult for me to imagine a life without Maria. We have been through so much together, and we are soulmates in every sense of the word. She has watched me struggle through some seminal issues in the past few years, and I have seen her do the same, emerging as a strong loving and independent human being and a gifted artist and businesswoman.

We have always been there for one another, and we share our lives with great joy and love. Love is one of those subjects that is dangerous for anyone to write about. Some of the best writers have done it, and I am not in that league. As open as the blog sometimes is, she and I are both private people, but love isn’t something one should ignore, if you are blessed enough to have had it, or still do. Whenever we see one another, we smile, and light up, inside and out. We cherish every minute together.

I was in the supermarket recently and I bought an Asian Pear for Maria. I just thought it might be a little surprise. My friend Elaine the cashier remarked that she didn’t remember my ever buying an Asian Pear before, as it is expensive – $2.40. “I got it for my girlfriend,” I said, blushing. A woman behind me chimed in, “why that’s wonderful, he bought his girlfriend an Asian Pear! It’s the little things,” she added. “Men always forget the little things, and they mean so much.” Soon, there were four or five women clustered around me, praising me for buying the little pear and urging me to never forget the little things, as many of their husbands had forgotten to remember for them.

I will not forget that lesson. Maria has brought the light into my life, infused it with a warm and powerful glow. We have walked together on an amazing journey, and it is just beginning, I think. Whatever I am doing, wherever I am, I think of her and I smile. There is no bad news in the world that can extinguish that flame. Tomorrow, when I go to the market to shop for Christmas, I will get an Asian Pear. Maybe two.