Why, I sometimes wonder, do I love Maria so much? I’m not sure the question is answerable, love is a mysterious, chemical, spiritual, unfathomable thing sometimes, I waited a very long time in my life to really find it, I did not know what it was. I got a glimpse of why this morning, when we were out on our morning walk with Lenore and Red, and I asked Maria to hold my walking stick while I took a photo through the mist.

When I looked up, Maria was twirling the stick like a baton twirler, she was high-stepping and spinning the stick over her head, walking proudly and with great spirit. The dogs were much into it, running to her to join her in her march down the road. She was having a great time, her face lit up in a radiant smile, I saw it the other day when she was dancing with her shadow. When I met Maria, she rarely smiled, I didn’t think she ever would smile. She finds joy and beauty and laughter everywhere.

I no longer ask her what she is doing, I know she has touched her inner spirit again, and set it free.

Maria’s smile is my sun and moon, it lights up the world, it outshone the leaves on the fall trees, it is one of the reasons I love her so much for sure. Love is a miracle, the greatest gift.