Love

The dictionary lists the word love as a noun and a verb. Two of the noun definitions are interesting. Love is a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. Love is a feeling of warm personal attachment or deep affection, as for a parent, child, or friend. The dictionary lists an additional eighteen definitions of love. Four letters that pack a punch.

Just how much do we use this word. We actually use it with random abandon. I love pizza. I love the movies. I just love your dress. How about some love? My first true love is music. I love to love you baby. I love it to death. My love, how about a cup of tea? Let's make love, not war. We'd love to visit you next week. Wouldn't you love me to quit with this nonsense?

So, we have this word that is used quite prolifically and yet can be so personal in certain moments. Remember when you told someone of the opposite sex that you loved them for the first time. You were so scared to say it. You feared that they wouldn't say it back to you. By saying that you loved them, it meant taking the relationship to a new level. Love meant that your care for that person was pretty damn intense. Remember that childhood little ditty about two lovebirds. Keith and Ronda sitting in a tree. K I S S I N G. First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Chucky in the baby carriage. See, even as young children we knew the progression of love.

Family love. That second definition I cited. It is sort of assumed that with family, the love is a given. Looking out in the world, me not think so much. It seems that love is very hard to maintain. It is a ongoing process and evolvement of time and patience. Family love does have the blood ties and blood is suppose to be thicker than water but I'm sure we can all cite examples where this is not true. I grew up around my mother's parents-my grandparents, and they exemplified unconditional love. They loved and accepted all four of their children no matter what. They loved and accepted their spouses or two. They loved and accepted their children's children no matter what brats they could be. I remember my mother's brother had moved to Richmond and didn't come to as many family gatherings as the three girls. I do believe it did bother my grandparents but they never said anything. However, when he did come, they didn't chastise him for not being there for some events but celebrated that he was there then. They were really such great role models of unconditional love.

Back to love. What a powerful emotion. It can cause you to do crazy things. Look at Romeo and Juliet- it doesn't get anymore drastic than that. When you're in love, the world is great. The sun always shines and nothing bothers you. When you're falling out of love or your love has been rejected you feel like poo. It's raining all the time and you don't want to do anything but seal yourself off from the world. Self doubt about yourself creeps in your thinking. All because of love. I have loved and lost love. The high can't get higher and the low can't get lower. I want to be loved. It makes me feel good about myself. Someone accepting me for me.

As trivial as we use the word love, it is one of the greatest words in the English language. I do believe it is at the core of our being. I believe our life's outlook is based on how we feel loved by others. I believe the more we try to love others, the more love we will receive. A lot easier said than done. I'm not talking multiple partners love, but showing care and consideration towards others. Sort of a general love for our fellow human beings. Give and ye shall receive. I don't believe we can perfect our ability to love. It is an on going event that requires constant effort and attention. Anything worthwhile always does. I myself struggle with showing my love to others appropriately. I'll keep trying because it is well worth it.

I have to finish this blog with my stupid humor. I loved writing this blog. Hope you love it. Have a lovely day. Loving every minute of it. Love to keep writing but it's time to end.

Keith