As mum was getting ready for bed, I handed her a gift I had gotten her before leaving Montreal. She has always loved lavender, the flower and the colour, as well as its soothing, calming scent which makes her sleep more peacefully and rest better at night. So I picked up a big box of lotions, scented oil and cream made of the purple flower. As she sat on her bed and opened the box, she was filled with such joy.
"Thank you," she said, "You're always so thoughtful. And you really shouldn't have spent so much on gifts..." But I wanted to buy the gift, and many other things, for her, because I knew she would enjoy it, and benefit greatly from it.
And that is love... knowing what someone likes or needs, and going to lengths to give that to someone, because you want to, because you know it will make the person happy, because you know that it will make you happy knowing the other person will derive joy from your act of giving. That is love.
I always thought I never understood love, and that I am incapable of giving or showing love. But, really, love is... putting a blanket over someone, because you are afraid that the person will feel cold... putting little pieces of fish and vegetables on someone else's plate, because you want them to eat well and get a balanced and healthy diet... Love is... pouring someone a cup of water, regardless of if the person is thirsty or not... it is worrying because someone is suddenly having a bout of coughing. And yes, love is even asking whether the person has gone to the bathroom that day, and how much came out...!
Love is many things, and it involves care, giving and affection. Care for care's sake, giving without wanting any thing in return, and affection that comes from the heart, and that finds its source in the warmth, kindness and compassion of the human soul. Love is... calling every (other) day (and sometimes every night) to make sure the other person feels your concern for their well-being... writing and leaving someone little cards and notes to make them feel special... Love is travelling great distances to see someone, because you want to spend time with them, because you want to make them feel less lonely, even if it is only for a little while.
Love is wondering if the person sleeps well at night, and asking how they are feeling or if they are troubled by anything. Love is sitting there and listening, offering support and a soft pat on the back, or gently stroking the other person's hand to let them know you are here for them and that you care.
Love can touch others, but it can also touch yourself, sometimes in ways that can move others and even yourself to tears. Little acts, which may appear so meaningless, little words and thoughts, which may be invisible to others, suddenly have so much meaning, suddenly becomes all too clear and all too natural. That is love... an irresistible force of emotion, that is so difficult to describe, so hard to pinpoint, exactly because it manifests itself in so many different way, at so many different times, and toward so many people.
Love just is.
1 comment:
sitting at the middle of night and reading this...feeling the warmth of love in these chilly days.
love and hugs
Post a Comment