Faded

Valentines from a beloved husband and father.

Tucked away, tied up with ribbons,

and discovered again last evening.

Lovely and painful and confusing.

Wondering what to do.

Realizing I wanted my adult children to know and see

the passion and love their parents once had and that

they were birthed from this love.

That time and circumstance faded that love

but did not remove it permanently from time.

It is shelved somewhere in memory, as these

remain shelved and tucked away,

with pretty fading ribbons.

But that love..remains...always.