as good as it gets.: name of the game.

Sneak your glances and try to steal your kisses but I know what this is. I've played this game before. The first time it has dared to face me. Don't you know who I am? Don't you know that I've already one-upped you because I know these rules. I know how this works. Well, how it's supposed to work. You've been failing. Move your horse two up and one to the right and you think you have checkmate but, young player, you don't see my queen waiting. Try the oldest tricks in the book and my castle will sideswipe your pawn. I know what you're here for. The object of a game is to win and you're not after my heart. Slide your hand down further, creep the line of my jeans, graze your hand under and I'll walk in the other direction. I wish you played the game fairly ... for your sake.

My heart lays in the palms of another and you can fight or

you can just accept facts.

I have lived my life in the name of the game. I know the rules, I know tricks beyond tricks, and I've tossed the dice more than you can count on both of those tiny hands. I have ripped hearts, bruised egos and played my part well. Too well. For too long.

What about commitment? What about family? What about finding that star in the sky again? Whatever happened to the person I was? And how are these ambitions just now hitting me, sideblinding me? As each day goes by, their effect over my subconcious strengthens. I see it happen daily. So many play this game. So many hearts broken. So many games lost. I look around and scream inside ...

"Don't you understand?

Don't you see what is going to happen?

Good luck because

you're both losing."

But no one listens. I don't blame them. I wouldn't have listened either. So what has changed? What makes me any better than I was a year ago?

Six months ago?

One month ago?

Yesterday?

The choices I make every single day. It's one step. One building block. One at a time. Take your time. Don't trip. It's a long way to fall.

Grab her and hold her tight. Don't let anything mess this up. Build your castle. Show her you can. One bucket of sand at a time. Put it in the molder and place a flag at the very top. Dig a moat around the perimeter to keep her safe. When the dark clouds invade, set off fireworks to light the sky for her. When the dragon approaches, remember to use heavy armor and a sword is also a good idea. Stare him in the face and prove that you're better than you were ...

a year ago.

Six months ago.

One month ago.

Yesterday.

Waking to her face in the morning will give you the strength to move forward. The light in her eyes will give you the confidence you need to start again. The smile across her face will give you the strength to get up and face every day with love in your heart.

Never underestimate the power of love.