Summer is a fever of sorts. Hot and Deceptive...Like Love

The other day my sister Lenise and I were talking and she asked me if I was ever in Love. Love? I thought… oh great what does that even mean? I told her I wasn’t sure. After much thought I came to a conclusion about what I think Love really is. Please let me know if I’m wrong:

Love in the dictionary says, “A feeling of warm personal attachment or a profoundly passionate affection for another person.” I believe that… but with that definition you could exchange the word love and replace it with lust. They are not the same thing to me, they are the opposite. Lust is jealous. Love is humility.  One of my favorite quotes is by John Bytheway: “Remember, before you are married, you will be more respected and more attractive for the affection you withhold then the affection you give.”

In Love, there’s no pride involved. It’s the 2 not the one. It’s them becoming one not 2. Understanding and respect are essential to love, and I don’t think that can come from talking together, even over a period of days and months. That can only come in years of experience. It is only when you consider each other’s problems as one and the same that you will find love. Sometimes when you love someone you have to give something up to keep them. When you realize you’d give up all your things (as in your possessions), that is when you will know they are worth it. Love is doing anything for them because you know it will make them happy, even if doing it makes you sad. Sometimes Love is cruel. But, like it says in Hamlet: sometimes we must be cruel to be kind. In the end actions in the name of love are never selfish.

 But Hey what do I know? You might want some words from the more wise:

"Don't say you love somebody and then change your mind. Love isn't like picking what movie you want to watch." -- Natalie, age 9

Love will find you, even if you are trying to hide from it. I been trying to hide from it since I was five, but the girls keep finding me." --

Dave, age 8

"A man and a woman promise to go through sickness and illness and diseases together." -- Marlon, age 10