Kintsugi

Dear husband,

I never promised you a rose garden, but that is what you got; a botanical beauty tarnished by its prickly thorns. Beautiful and desirable from afar but hurt and defensive, harmful to the touch. You felt the thorns from the beginning, cutting straight to your veins, but you decided to stay.

I never promised you the stars, but that is what you got; shiny and bright enough to light the midnight sky yet scorching within proximity. Your skin was burnt as you reached out your hand to save me, but you decided to stay.

I never promised you the moon, but that is what you got; a marvellous place that defies gravity but one where you cannot survive for long. You bounced around in the pleasures of the planet, intrigued by the seemingly calm and beautiful splendor. You gasped for air when the oxygen ran out, but you decided to stay.

I never promised you a pretty picture, but that is what you got; a magnificent piece worth far more than Van Gogh’s, yet inconsistent in its brilliance. You gazed in awe for at the intricately detailed piece which did not fit into your perfectly mapped life. You were judged for your choices, but you decided to stay.

I never promised you my heart, but that is what you got; a fragile organ that cannot function on its own. You held it with care and treated it with respect, loving the magnitude of its importance. It stopped beating on occasion, but you decided to stay.

I never promised you something real, but that is what you got; banter, laughter, tears and frustration. You were looking for love which you found in my smile, something that was easily replaced by the demons of what broke my soul. You endured the pain, but you decided to stay.

I never promised you forever – only till death do us part – but that is what you got; a vow before God that commits me to you. You were happy with less, but your persistence and consistencies surpassed the naivety of my tainted heart. You took what was broken and made it into a piece of art, sealed together with liquid gold and adding more value to what was. You decided to stay.

I’ve learnt not to make promises as they never end accordingly, but I promise to keep trying as you’re worth every ounce of effort. I’m deciding to stay.