Stand by me...

~*Heartpoet and Brenton*~
(Photo taken this morning - at home) 

Brenton was 7 when Heartpoet became his Step Dad.

 Brenton turns 20 in August of this year.

Love is made up of three unconditional properties in equal measure:

1. Acceptance

2. Understanding

3. Appreciation

Remove any one of the three and the triangle falls apart.

G'day all!

Heartpoet says to say thank you very much for all the lovely, warm Birthday wishes he received yesterday via facebook, emails, texts, phone calls and even a few left here via the comments section. Each and every one was much appreciated. When a number of family and numerous friends and acquaintances (from far and wide) can manage a cheery shout out for your special day but those closer to the fold turn a blind eye, it really does set things straight and make things so much clearer in our minds eye. Those rose tinted forgive all glasses one tends to wear become a whole lot clearer. We have chosen to look on it as similar to when oil and water are thrown together in a jar - they separate and go their own ways. Does that make us the oil or the water? We are not sure. All we do know is that we are happy with the heartsongs of those we find ourselves with. Enough of that already!

Brenton returned home yesterday to find me opening mail that included a speeding ticket (slightly over the limit) for Heartpoet - resulting in a fine and 1 lost demerit point. Brenton was aghast to think that Heartpoet would be receiving this on his Birthday. Without being told Brenton is aware that long term monsoon conditions have taken their toll on Heartpoet's business. For those two reasons he was insistent that there and then he take the ticket to the post office and pay the fine using his wages. It was his wish for Heartpoet to not even know of the tickets existence. Whilst I could not allow him to do that his intentions warmed my heart (and later Heartpoet's when I had a quiet word to him).

I had planned roast pork, crackling, apple sauce, gravy, lots of organic vegetables and a Birthday Cake for Heartpoet's Birthday dinner. Brenton asked if I minded if we bumped the roast dinner to tonight and instead he would cook us all a Mexican banquet. Brenton and Heartpoet both share a love of Spicy HOT Mexican food. A night off from cooking for me? You betcha it was OK. So we had a delish Mexican feast instead followed by Birthday Cake. Brenton gave Heartpoet a heartfelt birthday card and the promise of a shopping trip together first thing this morning (for a pressie) along with a coffee/cake stop for morning tea. I was more than welcome to tag along however I was happy to let them have one on one time as planned by Brenton.

Heartpoet was on the phone to his Mother in the UK on the eve of his Birthday. Sitting beside him I heard him impress on his Mother the following (after Mum had inquired after Brenton) - "Mum I am just so very thankful for the gift of Brenton in my life. He shows me respect, love and kindness and allows me to share in his life. He has maturity and understanding well beyond his years. He values my opinion and truly loves me for the person I am - flaws and all. Quite simply he cares! You already know Mum that Brenton (and Kim) were truly a life preserver and heaven sent at a critical time in my life. I shudder to think what would have become of me if they had not presented when they did and cannot imagine my life without them."

*************

I had been holidaying in Queensland at my sisters home when Heartpoet and I first met. I resided in another State of Australia at that time. It was an emotional time for both of us when my holiday came to an end. Blankets Heat was written for me by Heartpoet on the night before I returned home.

Blankets Heat

in blankets heat alone I stand
in furnaces great roar
maelstrom builds alone
I am alone in lightning's claw

fire and ice surround the soul
emotions beckon love
as from the gloom an angel smiles
an angel from above

and how am I to swell this smile
this aching from the start
for every second distant spent
is distance from your heart

and how am I to hold you close
to hold you in my soul
when distance taunts with dangers word
to peel our bells sweet toll

and how am I to tell your love
my love is evermore
when still within this days wild blur
we beckon natures law

and how am I to take your hand
and dance til dawn lights cheer
when here alone in sunsets arms
I'm wishing you were here

and how am I to wipe my tears
loves emotion sign
when all that matters in my day
is knowing you are mine

in blankets heat alone I stand
our love shall tide us through
for on this moments sweet sweet sigh
I whisper I love you

~*Heartpoet*~

Unconditional love is about standing by your loved ones through thick and thin, through good and bad times. Ben E. King sang, "When the night has come and the land is dark. And the moon is the only light we'll see; no, I won't be afraid, no, I won't be afraid. Just as long as you stand, stand by me."