The Way to Love

“I want the loved person to grow and unfold for his own sake, and in his own ways, and not for the purpose of serving me.” ~ Erich Fromm

Codependent. Excessive emotional
or psychological reliance on a partner,
typically a partner who requires support
due to an illness or addiction.
How can I be of service? How can I help?
Can I relieve your burdens? I don't want you
to be unhappy, to feel like I put myself
ahead of you. You seem so miserable,
like nothing can make you happy.
Shall I wait on you, be your butler,
your valet, your waitress, your laundress?
You may think you want all that...
but it's neither what I need to do
nor actually how you would like you or me to be.
I promise to love you, to want the best for you
but to respect you...and me...enough
to let you be the best that you can be.