Love

Oh Valentine's Day. How wonderful you are. You are so loved by many, but hated by others.  I'm not really sure why. I don't understand why there is such a drastic difference in opinions.  I think that the people that don't like you just don't appreciate or understand what you are trying to offer. But you are here for one simple purpose. You are here to celebrate love.

Love is a difficult word to define. It is an action, a noun, a motivator, a purpose, a destination. The definition will vary depending on the source, but there seems to be a commonality between them all, and it is that love, once experienced, changes all parties involved.

Think of  the joy that we have felt when we were the recepient of a loving action. We have all had experiences that have helped us feel loved, important, and worthwhile. And Oh the happiness we have felt when we have been the giver of a loving gesture.  As great as it is to receive an expression of love, it is just as sweet to be the one that gives it.  Simply because it changes us to be better. What could be greater than helping another person recognize a little bit more about their individual worth?

Love is what empowers these behaviors, and what sanctifies them.

I witnessed one such experience this last weekend. A little over a week ago, my sweet husband's father passed away. Everyone that knew him is sad to be separated from him, but fortunately we know that we will see him again.  He was a great person, and wonderful example.  One thing that I noticed, and that I will be forever changed by, was while observing his devoted wife.  Jimmy's admirable Mother.

Jimmy's father, Dwight, struggled with brain cancer for the last several years, and Jimmy's mother, Barbara, was there every step of the way.  She went with him to all doctor's visits, traveled and visited him everyday in the rehabilitation centers, and prayed for him continually. She rarely left his side simply because she loved him.  In fact, during the last several weeks of his life, he was in a hospital bed in their family room. Rather than sleeping in the comfort of her bed, she stayed with him in that room laying on the floor or the couch just in case he needed anything.

That simple act taught me many things. It taught me that true love is willing to sacrifice for the happiness of another despite how it affects your own comfort. It is purely unselfish.  Should this not be exactly what we aspire to be? Pure, unselfish love transcends our natural tendencies, and helps us learn to be divine-like.

So, on this Valentine's day, rather than despise others sappy actions, may we remember to enjoy the opportunity to value love itself. May we look at our relationships, whoever they are with, and contemplate how we can show that individual how important they are to us. It may be a parent, sibling, friend, neighbor, or spouse.   It may be a smile, a nice note, an act of service, a kind word.  We all have relationships with somebody; let us be grateful for that blessing and cultivate it while we can during this life.  Whatever we choose to do, I hope that we can remember that in so doing it, we are all improved.