I Saw Love

By June Chapko

In my husband’s tears, he couldn’t make my cancer go away.

In my husband’s embrace, encircling me with his protection.

I saw love when he cleaned up after me on my worst days, held my hand before surgery, and wore a smile in the recovery room.

Love was visible as I watched him play fetch with Chai when I had no energy.

I saw love when losing my hair became a game of “It’ll come back before you know it,” and him being first to find new growth.

I saw love in his patience, waiting for treatments to end.

Love was written on his face in lines.

I saw them grow last year.

Love was drawn in his smile when the words, “cancer-free” were spoken.

I saw love in his tears of joy because the cancer had gone away.

I saw love in his embrace trying to protect me forevermore.