“As if you were on fire from within. The moon lives in the lining of your skin.” – Pablo Neruda
__________A conversation with an (my)extraordinary woman a week or so ago– prompts me to write.
Me: I don’t think you are pretty.
She: (no words) – but long pause –
Me: (explanation)
____________________AND I go on to tell her…as she listens intently…
____ANYONE can try to look (or) look pretty. I always smile when I hear someone say to a woman … “you look pretty today” – as if – they didn’t or won’t look pretty yesterday or tomorrow – that their “prettiness” is based on their hair or nails or the new dress or the “something outward” – and maybe that is the case … I love that women– take that care to “look pretty” – but pretty seems to come and go – at times – pretty gets washed off with the make-up …at night – or goes away when they take off the party dress – or the nails aren’t done…
SO – I said to (her) – I don’t think you are (just) pretty – because pretty comes and goes… what you are is (beautiful) … because beauty is an “always kind of thing” – when you are (beautiful) you can wear a potato sack and look “pretty”.
Beauty – is from deep within (and) radiates to the outward … when I think of her - I think of words like graceful and devoted and bountiful in heart and spirit, kind, generous – giving always. Beautiful is a woman who believes in herself – she is strength and determination – a woman who isn’t thrown off by obstacles in her path – (her) beauty comes from confidence of experiences of having fallen and gotten back up and moved on.
(She) has a glow about her that comes from the inside and only even more so on the outside…this is because she takes care of herself – and that is beautiful – that she cares enough to take care of her health and nutrition.
(Her) beauty comes from her genuine kindness – her graciousness in (all) things – she is honorable in all things- she is gentle and thoughtful and unselfish – and she (thinks) before she speaks – she has honor in how she speaks with others – (she) is beautiful because she honors God and is faithful in her beliefs. (She) is beautiful because she continues to grow and learn and is always striving to be a better person (for) herself and those she cares about. (She) is beautiful because she doesn’t shrink herself down to fit into a mold of what “others” think she should be.
(She) is beautiful – because she shares her heart in a million different ways to everyone around her – but yet, knows and respects enough to know she must take care of (her) too. Yes, (she) is pretty – she is (amazing so) actually – as I have said – a smile that stopped me dead in my tracks – and takes my breath away daily – but I (really) can say – it is her (heart) – her (inner beauty) that defines her so – put the two together – and well…you have a little bit of Grace Kelly, Jackie O, Audrey Hepburn and Lady Di – all rolled into one (true story).
She is graciousness and the word “lady” defined – by example (from the inside out) in every sort of way … so, do I think she is “just” pretty. No, I will stand by my original statement any day of the week – she is (not) pretty – she is the very definition of beautiful…. (and) me? Well… as you might guess…I remain the single most lucky guy in the entire world. Hands down.
(and yes - I know that I am full of all that (romantic/mushy feeling stuff) - but you know what ... I wouldn't want it any other way...for who she makes me feel is (indeed) the most incredible feeling - ever.)