Hold each other as you'd hold the Prophet's hands

The Prophet’s hands, silken smooth and soft to touch,
sometimes they need those hands so much,
to feel them clasp their own, let them know they’re not alone.
The Prophet’s hands, can bind husband and wife,
remind them why they share a life,
clasp them both upon his heart, gently help them make a start
to hold each other as they’d hold the Prophet’s hands.
- The Prophet's Hands, Dawud Wharsnby Ali

I think the above verse applies to our relationships with all our close loved ones, not just husband and wife, though I do think that is the relationship that is often taken the most for granted. In our relationships with our close loved ones, I think we often forget what a great blessing it is to be able to be in their company, to benefit from their good qualities and wisdom, and to be able to love them, and be loved by them.

If we could keep the beautiful words of Dawud Wharnsby Ali close to our hearts every time we interact with our loved ones, if we could learn "to hold each other as [we'd] hold the Prophet's hands" wouldn't our relationships be so much more meaningful, so much more spiritual? I feel like we often get so absorbed in fulfilling our daily obligations - work, school, homework, housework - that the stress we feel completing those obligations is transferred into our attitude toward our loved ones. So instead of being grateful, spending time, doing something meaningful together, we postpone that for another day and talk to each other curtly and in my case, sarcastically. Not as if this person is a gift from Allah that can be taken away in a moment. Most importantly, I've noticed that we tend to have more mercy when dealing with strangers, or acquaintances, and less mercy when dealing with our own family members. And treating our loved ones with love, respect, and most importantly, mercy is a duty that is much higher than any duty at work, or school, or household chore.

Something to think about, huh? May Allah reward Dawud Wharnsby Ali and all artists for reminding us of such a simple, yet easily forgettable duty.