How should I love?

Beauty of Orchid Beach, Frazer Island, Australia
White sands, high surf, airstrip, highway, great white sharks - all in one spot...

Their love was strong. Funny thing, they did not realize it until one of them moved on. He was left standing behind heart-broken and unable to overcome his grief. He was not ready. They were together for 40 years. They nurtured their love through many storms, hanging in there through it all. She left suddenly, zap! That's how life happens! What is there to live for, he asks?

She caught him stealing a glance at her when he thought no one will see, but their eyes met. Two hearts fluttered in unison for one moment and then the memory remained for a lifetime. Life for each on separate tracks. The possibilities are too difficult to comprehend, there will be hurt and lots of it. Too much risk, not sure it will be worth the reward. Let the unknown remain so.

They had lived together for 40 years, with children, jewelry, homes, cars, and all the shiny possessions. They were neighbor's envy, they faked it well. No, they did not know they were faking it! They were living an agreement that comfortably suited both. In their bond of convenience was strong enough to last a lifetime. Their love was stable, the rock.

She met him at a friend's place, he fell in love. Fairy-tale courtship and romance followed, complete with the evil queen trying to break them apart. They survived the hurdles and managed to live happily ever-after, or did they?

Is love measured by passion? Or, is it measured by stability? Is it measured by pain? Or, is it measured by consistency? How should I love?

Love and Fantasy, they say, go hand in hand....
I agree....