Fierce Courtesy

Today marks our 27th anniversary, so we've decided to wander off for the day, escaping the constant hammering of the men who are re-shingling our house and heading for one of my favorite places.

Though we will be taking the dog with us, we've agreed not to take along our other usual distractions -- books and computers -- and to just spend the time enjoying each other's company.

So I was amused by today's admonitions in A Year with Rumi:

Fierce Courtesy

The connection to the Friend 
is secret and very fragile.

The image of the Friendship 
is in how you love,

the grace and the delicacy,
the subtle talking together
in full prostration, outside of time.

When you are there,
remember the fierce courtesy
of the one with you.