For the rest and best years of my life.

I found this tucked away in my journal.... I liked writing it. For the rest and best years of my life. I chose to put it here, in hopes that he will read it and in his reading it recognize that it is he for whom this was written. It seems like I have loved him all my life. It is just recently that I aknowledged it. I'll accept it for what it is. And cherish it.

How beautiful the sentiment that Elizabeth Akers Allen proses. To find the love of your life in the later years. There are many times in a lifetime that the opportunity to love turns our way, but love wears a menagerie of hats; compassion, kindness, lust, passion, connectedness, pity, loneliness, need, familiarity, friendship, and concern all have a hat tagged for them in the realm of 'love'. There is but a few times in a lifetime that love, true love walks over your heart. It happened to me. I fell in love completely and entirely. I could not imagine my life without having ever found his love. I am one of the fortunate few who loves back completely and entirely. It happens, It's happening now. How long will he love me? For all my faded face years. For all my gray haired days. For all the rest and the best of my life.

Elizabeth Akers Allen 

At Last

At last, when all the summer shine 

   That warmed life's early hours is past, 

Your loving fingers seek for mine 

   And hold them close—at last—at last! 

Not oft the robin comes to build

   Its nest upon the leafless bough 

By autumn robbed, by winter chilled,—

   But you, dear heart, you love me now. 



Though there are shadows on my brow 

   And furrows on my cheek, in truth,— 

The marks where Time's remorseless plough 

   Broke up the blooming sward of Youth,—

Though fled is every girlish grace 

   Might win or hold a lover's vow, 

Despite my sad and faded face, 

   And darkened heart, you love me now! 



I count no more my wasted tears; 

   They left no echo of their fall; 

I mourn no more my lonesome years; 

   This blessed hour atones for all. 

I fear not all that Time or Fate 

   May bring to burden heart or brow,—

Strong in the love that came so late, 

   Our souls shall keep it always now!

love me later~tj