11-21-2011, 09:52 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Professional Sandbagger and Jenga Zumba Instructor Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In the master control room of my world domination dreams
Posts: 2,811
Thanks: 6,587
Thanked 4,736 Times in 1,409 Posts
Rep Power: 21474850 |
Devotion
I have been contemplating the nature of love and devotion lately and wondering what that looks like for some people.
How are you devoted? How are two devoted? What is the full measure of devotion? |
The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to SoNotHer For This Useful Post: |
11-21-2011, 11:43 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Femme Preferred Pronoun?:
m'lady Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,000
Thanks: 1,834
Thanked 6,231 Times in 1,462 Posts
Rep Power: 21474853 |
I wrote this story in another thread..I think the thread was about what love looks like, or something along those lines. I think it can apply here to devotion as well.
Several years ago I worked on an Alzheimer/Dementia unit. One of my elderly patients was in the end stage of dementia, mentally she was completely gone, and she required total care. Her husband, Mr. C, would come to see her every day. He would arrive early in the morning to feed her breakfast and help get her ready for the day. He would sit with her, talk to her, read to her, wheel her around the facility and outside when the weather was good. After feeding her lunch, he would leave for about an hour to go home and eat...and then he would return and only leave again when she was put to bed. He would do this EVERY day. Keep in mind, his wife did not recognize him, or respond to him...mentally she was just not there. He and I used to talk and he told me the story of how they met...it was at a navy dance when they were both in their late teens...they met in January, he married her that June, and they were together since that time. One day, we had a blizzard, and a state of emergency was declared. Of course, I still had to go to work, but the police were actually stopping "unessential" cars on the road. I was sitting behind the nurse's station when Mr. C walked in...I could not believe it. I said "Mr. C...you shouldn't be out in this weather! What are you doing here??" He smiled and replied "Well, I couldn't just leave my girl alone, could I?" To me...that is not just love, that is devotion. Love can be a bit selfish sometimes. We enjoy love, not just because of the way we feel about someone, but also because of how they make US feel and how they feel about us. Love is best when it is reciprocal. However, devotion is something different. It is giving even when there is no hope of return, remaining constant when there is nothing to gain. It's putting the happiness of someone else above your own, doing without being told, giving without being asked. I've had love in my life...several times. I think we've all had love, been loved, given love and received it. I think in this life, we love and are loved many times...but true devotion...I think if we are lucky enough to find that, it only comes around once in a lifetime.
__________________
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I'll meet you there ~ Rumi |
The Following 38 Users Say Thank You to always2late For This Useful Post: | Apocalipstic, atomiczombie, Breathless, DapperButch, Deborah, dixie, Dude, foxyshaman, funkyfemme, Gaige, Gemme, genghisfawn, Greyson, Hollylane, Jett, julieisafemme, JustJo, Kelt, Lady_Di, Leigh, Liam, Massive, MsTinkerbelly, msW8ing, mustangjeano, Novelafemme, Passionaria, PinkieLee, princessbelle, Sachita, Scuba, SoNotHer, Soon, Talon, tazz, theoddz, Tye, Vlasta |
11-21-2011, 11:50 AM | #3 | |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Stone Butch Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: above my boots
Posts: 2,097
Thanks: 2,649
Thanked 3,756 Times in 1,171 Posts
Rep Power: 21474852 |
Quote:
|
|
The Following 11 Users Say Thank You to Gaige For This Useful Post: |
11-21-2011, 12:15 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Professional Sandbagger and Jenga Zumba Instructor Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In the master control room of my world domination dreams
Posts: 2,811
Thanks: 6,587
Thanked 4,736 Times in 1,409 Posts
Rep Power: 21474850 |
It's an exquisitely beautiful post, and it has made me smile inside and out. Thank you for starting the thread with such a special story.
Quote:
|
|
The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to SoNotHer For This Useful Post: |
11-21-2011, 10:17 PM | #5 |
Practically Lives Here
How Do You Identify?:
. Preferred Pronoun?:
. Relationship Status:
. Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: .
Posts: 11,495
Thanks: 34,694
Thanked 26,373 Times in 5,877 Posts
Rep Power: 21474860 |
My brain is completely withered at this moment, thus preventing me from posting more about how I view devotion.
I think this thread is wonderful. I will contribute a poem that I wrote, that I feel speaks a little to the topic, "Devotion", and how I feel about it. Love That You Love Her Do not feed off the passion and desire presented in the electric arc Between fingertips and the ache of skin that is longing for your touch Or that beats visibly at the base of an arched neck exposed for taking Respond not to the love that shines within raised and adoring eyes Nor partake selfishly of the unfettered offer that is given only to you Unless your heart too, has broken with the beauty of all that is her, And bleeds with motiveless need to show this lover your own affection ~Hollylane 10/24/11 |
The Following 14 Users Say Thank You to Hollylane For This Useful Post: |
11-21-2011, 10:47 PM | #6 |
Member
How Do You Identify?:
Femmesensual Transguy Preferred Pronoun?:
He, Him, His Relationship Status:
Dating Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Rio Vista, CA
Posts: 1,225
Thanks: 3,949
Thanked 3,221 Times in 757 Posts
Rep Power: 21474852 |
Devotion is wanting the very best for someone you love, even when you aren't it. It's never giving up on someone you believe in.
__________________
Last edited by atomiczombie; 11-21-2011 at 10:48 PM. Reason: added thought. |
The Following 25 Users Say Thank You to atomiczombie For This Useful Post: |
11-21-2011, 11:14 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Butch Relationship Status:
Perusing Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: exit 5 with an exit 21 goal
Posts: 1,725
Thanks: 15,351
Thanked 10,606 Times in 1,477 Posts
Rep Power: 21474852 |
It's visiting your friend with Aids in a hospice house
when he has dementia so bad, he does not notice your there anymore. 6 months, everyday after work no matter what |
The Following 27 Users Say Thank You to Dude For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 12:31 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Professional Sandbagger and Jenga Zumba Instructor Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In the master control room of my world domination dreams
Posts: 2,811
Thanks: 6,587
Thanked 4,736 Times in 1,409 Posts
Rep Power: 21474850 |
Beautiful posts... thank you all. I am grateful for them.
A couple posts reminded me of this beautiful film and story. The husband in it is losing his wife to Alzheimer's and stands by her even as she no longer recognizes him or remembers their love, even as she falls in love with another. Devotion - |
The Following 10 Users Say Thank You to SoNotHer For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 01:38 AM | #9 | |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Urban Bohemian : http://youtu.be/IM96Ch9Gx4A Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: She ran away with with the Gypsy's ✿
Posts: 2,519
Thanks: 5,316
Thanked 3,735 Times in 1,249 Posts
Rep Power: 16689909 |
Quote:
I guess there is a devotion to the love and truth of self first. And if we are lucky enough to meet someone, and each others hearts are your truth, devotion is the bond, the nourishment, the prayer you make to one another~ Also your protection.
__________________
Moon cat madness
|
|
The Following 14 Users Say Thank You to Passionaria For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 01:51 AM | #10 | |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Professional Sandbagger and Jenga Zumba Instructor Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In the master control room of my world domination dreams
Posts: 2,811
Thanks: 6,587
Thanked 4,736 Times in 1,409 Posts
Rep Power: 21474850 |
So incredibly well said... and beautiful.
Quote:
|
|
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to SoNotHer For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 01:54 AM | #11 |
Member
How Do You Identify?:
old school stonebutch, Queer TG butch, ranch hand Preferred Pronoun?:
he Relationship Status:
single, not looking Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Northern Ca.
Posts: 1,088
Thanks: 2,459
Thanked 1,029 Times in 361 Posts
Rep Power: 15314315 |
Devotion
I have been thinking about what this word means to me since I first read SoNotHer's question earlier today. It's not as simple for me to answer as the question looks at first. My short answer is, to give the very best that you have to offer at the moment, forever. Ideally that would include love, respect, patience, tenderness, passion, humor, and playfulness. This can be applicable to any human or animal relationships---sometimes the best I can strive for at the moment is respect and patience.
Jeano
__________________
"Your outlook affects your outcome". John Paul Warren |
The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to mustangjeano For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 07:42 AM | #12 |
Junior Member
How Do You Identify?:
butch Preferred Pronoun?:
Tye, Relationship Status:
single Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Alberta,Canada
Posts: 18
Thanks: 476
Thanked 46 Times in 14 Posts
Rep Power: 13 |
Devotion
All of these quotes are amazing replies! This reminds me of my grandparents,they had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and my grandmother became ill and was placed in a nursing home. She was there for 10 yrs,not sure what she had,but she didnt know anyone most days,but my grandfather was there everyday all day with her. When he was no longer able to drive he sold their farm and moved into nursing home, so he could be with her. Gramma passed away in January and my grandad was lost without her! He went to sleep one night in August(same year as Gramma passed) and he never woke. He was healthy,but they said he died of a broken heart and just wanted to be with his true love.
|
The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to Tye For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 08:02 AM | #13 |
Infamous Member
How Do You Identify?:
femme Preferred Pronoun?:
femme ones Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 6,100
Thanks: 29,380
Thanked 30,503 Times in 5,201 Posts
Rep Power: 21474857 |
Wow this is an great thread and these stories have definitely touched me as i know they have others.
I have one that stands out for me and i would like to share. In Hospice, i see a lot of devotion. When one partner passes, the pain the other one goes through sometimes it is really hard to take and i have broken down and cried for them more times than i could tell you. But, this one couple will always be, to me, a beacon for devotion and love. She had cancer. They had been married for over 60 years. She had been so very sick for over a year and he never left her side. He was up with her day and night for her every need. He called me in the middle of the night one night and said he thought it was getting close. When i got there, the air was sweet. He had candles lit and there was soft music playing. She was barely breathing and he held her hands and kissed her softly over and over and told her it was ok for her to let go. She did as he said, and passed. I had walked out of the room to call the funeral home and when i came back into the room he was getting into the bed with her. I asked him if he was ok, it startled me a little bit. He said "I've slept with this beautiful woman every night for over 60 years, tonight is no exception. I will hold her in our bed until they come and take her away from me". To this day, when i think about them, the first thing i think of is...how lucky they were to have a love like that. It was beyond beautiful. He definitely had true devotion to that love and it was just breathtaking.
__________________
~ I've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~ Maya Angelou |
The Following 29 Users Say Thank You to princessbelle For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 09:43 AM | #14 | |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Professional Sandbagger and Jenga Zumba Instructor Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In the master control room of my world domination dreams
Posts: 2,811
Thanks: 6,587
Thanked 4,736 Times in 1,409 Posts
Rep Power: 21474850 |
What an incredible story... I could see and feel all of it. Thank you all for these beautiful, meaningful memories and thoughts on devotion. It is so good to read them.
Quote:
|
|
The Following 6 Users Say Thank You to SoNotHer For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 10:49 AM | #15 | |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Femme Preferred Pronoun?:
m'lady Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 2,000
Thanks: 1,834
Thanked 6,231 Times in 1,462 Posts
Rep Power: 21474853 |
Quote:
__________________
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I'll meet you there ~ Rumi |
|
The Following 9 Users Say Thank You to always2late For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 12:45 PM | #16 | |
Infamous Member
How Do You Identify?:
femme Preferred Pronoun?:
femme ones Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 6,100
Thanks: 29,380
Thanked 30,503 Times in 5,201 Posts
Rep Power: 21474857 |
Quote:
*Hugs to you sista
__________________
~ I've learned that people will forget what you said,
people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. ~ Maya Angelou |
|
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to princessbelle For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 01:59 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Butch Relationship Status:
Perusing Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: exit 5 with an exit 21 goal
Posts: 1,725
Thanks: 15,351
Thanked 10,606 Times in 1,477 Posts
Rep Power: 21474852 |
part 2 of
My friend ,Mark. He looked very similiar to a cross between Patrick Swayze and Kurt Russell. He easily could have been a conceited jerk but he wasn't. Instead, he was always trying to do things for others. He was always very nurturing and supportive. I was blessed to not have to share him much with anyone as we were both usually single. He cooked us dinner nearly every night and I did the dishes. He would play our favorite songs and tidy up the rest of the house while I did them. We would then have dessert with our coffee and laugh (and on occasion ,cry) for hours. I always joked with him about being my 1st wife. If I was going through something he would always bake me something to cheer me up and suggest we go to the river or beach. He was very calming and easy to be around. He stood about 6"3" and could pass for a very manly man but he could pull out his swish when you least expected it. He amused himself by using this shock factor effect on random people he would come across in his travels. He had one former partner who he called the love of his life. I got to witness his last moment of clarity with this man who showed up to say his good bye's and knew he would finally now be able to let go. I barely slept that night and shot straight up out of the bed at 5:00. At 5:05, I got the call that he was gone. I was in my late 20's. Some people never get to experience a friendship like that and I feel enormously blessed. His devotion for me ,made mine for him ,easy. |
The Following 15 Users Say Thank You to Dude For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 02:24 PM | #18 |
Pink Confection
How Do You Identify?:
Femme Preferred Pronoun?:
She, Her, Ma'am Relationship Status:
Dating Myself Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Nashville
Posts: 4,266
Thanks: 17,195
Thanked 11,382 Times in 2,839 Posts
Rep Power: 21474855 |
I used to dream of devotion and love to last through the ages.
__________________
|
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Apocalipstic For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 03:39 PM | #19 |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Professional Sandbagger and Jenga Zumba Instructor Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In the master control room of my world domination dreams
Posts: 2,811
Thanks: 6,587
Thanked 4,736 Times in 1,409 Posts
Rep Power: 21474850 |
|
The Following 3 Users Say Thank You to SoNotHer For This Useful Post: |
11-22-2011, 03:43 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
How Do You Identify?:
Alpha Femme Preferred Pronoun?:
Goddess Relationship Status:
Completely in love Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Southern Virginia
Posts: 3,225
Thanks: 2,564
Thanked 8,994 Times in 2,249 Posts
Rep Power: 21474854 |
I crave devotion the way a heroin addict craves their next fix. Not just unconditional love... I am fortunate enough to have this many times in this life time, but a deep relinquishing of mind, body and soul. When a human offers you the very depths of their being expecting nothing in return but your approval and a smile on your face. My devotion addiction has made me the woman I am today and inspired me to leave no stone upturn in my pursuit of it. The years I sacrificed devotion, settling for less, I was empty and emotionally isolated.
Love without deep devotion, the existence to please me, is just not an option for me any more. If one isn't fully and completely devoted to me then I would rather be a lone and do without.
__________________
You either like me or you don't. It took me Twenty-something years to learn how to love myself, I don't have that kinda time to convince somebody else.
~ Daniel Franzese |
The Following 8 Users Say Thank You to Sachita For This Useful Post: |
|
|