Life is a story.
Whenever I write about my experiences, I use the phrase "life/story" because, to me, they are one and the same. And I understand that the only time that you can perceive and thus create another page in your individual life/story is here and now, the present moment. Again, I write that as "here/now" since I know that they, too, are one and the same.
I believe there is but one force, one energy, which is a constant. That is love. Everything that exists in what we know as life is powered by love. And I feel that love is truly eternal. It never perishes, never dies. It simply transforms and continues.
The simple question in looking back on anything, the only question that matters, is was I loving in the moment? It isn't an easy question since I am no longer present in the here/now, but instead pondering something that is just a memory. We all know that memories become clouded over time.
So this year's poem is dedicated to the woman with whom I spent 25 years of my life, sharing many pages of our individual and combined life/stories. The power that I have in hand is selective memory, recalling the love that we shared, the experiences we created, and that we saw it through together by choice. It wasn't always easy, especially in the final years. And looking back, seeing it through helped me to understand and grow in ways that I never could have created alone.
It made my love more vital, more present, and alive in the here/now. This I now carry forward, understanding that Jeri may no longer be a physical presence in my world, but I absolutely know and feel her love, her spirit, every day. It's impacted the quality of my relationship with a new friend and companion who has flowed in on the same river, the vibration of love and respect.
So love truly does live on. No one is ever "lost" to you if you remember the love and joy that you both shared, and choose to make it a part of your here/now in ways both "big" and "small."
When you forget, forgive yourself and choose again. It honors the spirit of love and your loved ones.
This holiday season, choose to keep the light alive.
Christmas 2025
By Richard Perrotti
Ironic, it is, at this time of year
That in darkness, we strive for the
light.
In candles, bright colors, and
twinkling displays
We find comfort and beauty in their
sight.
Understand that it takes this gloom of the night
To properly see the illume.
Minus the contrast that blackness brings
It would fade like a tattered costume.
Sometimes it takes what seems like a
loss
To realize that love never dies.
The spirit within always beckons
And appears in a differing guise.
Ponder within this one question
To reveal your wisdom unfurled:
Does the shadow of this world darken your heart
Or does your heart enlighten the world?
In the crush of traditions and presents
It feels like our love we exhaust.
Strive not for a Christmas so “perfect,”
That its genuine meaning is lost.
The power of love is forgiveness,
And forgiveness begins with yourself.
Judgement as dark and deep as the night
Can be released and put up on the
shelf.
So, fear not, as the angel announced
long ago,
For what is not love is but fear.
Let the light of your love go forth and
shine bright,
Spreading tidings of joy and great
cheer!
