the ultimate happiness

Today, I opened the box for the first time in a very long time.

I gave Sam the box 2 months before he died.  He was moving away to college.  I was a year younger and I had to stay behind.  So I bought him the photo box and put my picture on it.  I told him that whenever something happened at college that I should know abbout, he should take 30 seconds to write it down and put it in the box.  And then, the next time we were on the phone, he would go thru the box and read me the notes.  It was our way of making sure we never missed even the smallest moment.

And we didn't.

Now, the box sits on my desk.  I replaced the picture of myself with a picture of Sam, and I have put some of my own things on the box.  When I open it, I can still smell the scent of his dorm room. 

The box represents our secrets and dream together.  It hold precious moments and valuable memories.  This box is just about all I have left of Sam, other than some sweatshirts and photos.  And I would give away all those sweatshirts and the content of the box for just one more day with Sam.

I wanted to use the box as inspiration for a post today.  But when I look at it, all my factually based arguments in support of Same-Sex Marriage and unwaivering evidence that the Ban is bad news just go out the window. 

Because, when I look at that box I can't help but think about how short life is.  And then I wonder...Why would anyone dedicate a part of their life to denying the ultimate happiness of marriage to another human being?  Life is so short, and in the end...does it really matter who you marry?  Doesn't that indescribable human connection called "love" trump everything else?