Because, really, when you think about it,
you can’t love small if you’re really loving.

When you throw your whole heart into it,
headfirst off the high dive, it’s big.

But then comes the challenge, after the easy
fall into warmth, into embracing arms,

into a baby’s smile or a tail-wagging bark.
Love bigger. When the water cools and you

want to climb out, when the arms loosen,
perhaps even let go for good. When the child

kicks dirt at you, pouting. When the four-footed
ones sicken, when hard decisions stare at you

from their pained eyes. Love bigger. Let tears
fall without embarrassment; don’t hide the ache.

Love anyway, even if they’re going. Even if they’ve gone.
Even if they didn’t want to. Even if they did.

Because your gigantic heart can only love big, to your
everlasting, toe-tapping, larger-than-life credit.

And know that there are so many of us
who adore your big love, revel in it, rely on it,

and we’re shining it right back at the mirror
of you, sweetheart, bigger than you ever imagined.