Nothing in Return....

"You Owe Me Nothing In Return"


- Alanis Morissette



I'll give you countless amounts of outright acceptance if you want it
I will give you encouragement to choose the path that you want if you need it
You can speak of anger and doubts your fears and freak outs and I'll hold it
You can share your so-called shame filled accounts of times in your life and I won't judge it
(and there are no strings attached to it)

You owe me nothing for giving the love that I give
You owe me nothing for caring the way that I have
I give you thanks for receiving it's my privilege
And you owe me nothing in return

You can ask for space for yourself and only yourself and I'll grant it
You can ask for freedom as well or time to travel and you'll have it
You can ask to live by yourself or love someone else and I'll support it
You can ask for anything you want anything at all and I'll understand it
(and there are no strings attached to it)

You owe me nothing for giving the love that I give
You owe me nothing for caring the way that I have
I give you thanks for receiving it's my privilege
And you owe me nothing in return

I bet you're wondering when the next payback shoe will eventually drop
I bet you're wondering when my conditional police will force you to cough up
I bet wonder how far you have now danced you way back into debt
This is the only kind of love as I understand it that there really is

You can express your deepest of truths even if it means I'll lose you and I'll hear it
You can fall into the abyss on your way to your bliss I'll empathize with
You can say that you have to skip town to chase your passion I'll hear it
You can even hit rock bottom have a mid-life crisis and I'll hold it
(and there are no strings attached)

You owe me nothing for giving the love that I give
You owe me nothing for caring the way that I have
I give you thanks for receiving it's my privilege
And you owe me nothing in return

Isn't that what real love and friendship at the truest level is like? We have been very fortunate, as we go through these very difficult times, to be surrounded by a special few who we are able to completely be this way with. It goes both ways. Anything is ok between all of us. We truly accept each other, and put no expectations on how the other will act or react, handle or mishandle situations, make good or bad choices or decisions, or anything else. We simply love each other unconditionally.

That unconditional love has utterly changed our lives. Irreversable change has occurred in my heart. I am no longer content with superficial relationships that are prone to offense, disappointment, disillusionment, unrealistic expectations, masks, and so much more. It is so comfortable and safe to be with friends who truly love you, and to be able to still be safe and secure, even when I am at my very worst.

To Greg & Jodie, I will forever be grateful. Their love for us, and friendship with us, has been truly one of a kind. They have seen my best and worst, and yet, they have loved me unconditionally. I am thankful they were able to hang in there with us when most others disappeared. Our love for them has grown as well. There has never been a place for judgement or correction or "fixing" - we just hang out, enjoying each other, sharing in each others' lives. They are our family in the truest sense of the word. We are blessed and our lives are richer for knowing them.

Jeff