Love Story

As we move along on our journey, we realize, like the dictionary meaning, that love comes in many different forms. Our personal love story is a reflection of our life experiences…starting with the unconditional love parents and their children share,  moving along to the first, intense brush with young love, (that emotional roller coaster), to the excitement, butterflies, and passion when finding a life partner, the joys of having children and grandchildren, making lifelong friends we treasure, and the endearing relationships we have with animals and nature.

Poets and writers were among the first to tell these stories.   To this day critics deem that some of the greatest love stories of all time were written years ago by William Shakespeare (Romeo and Juliet) and Jane Austen (Pride and Prejudice).

Because of the strict social etiquette codes of centuries past,  love simmered below the surface long before it was permitted to be acted upon.  Relationships grew through feelings expressed in love letters and coy rendezvous.  Today with a single post on social media the world is alerted of our updated “status”.  Are we missing out on romance by not nurturing the courting period?  Sometimes I wonder…

Finding love is tricky.  Putting yourself out there opens you up to the possibility of heartbreak.  One advantage of getting older is realizing we are more alike than different…that taking that leap of faith is so worth it.  We come to realize that everyone else is not as confident in social situations as we may have assumed, that they,  too, risk getting hurt.

And where would we be without our beloved pets?  We may be their caregivers, but in reality,  they are the ones that give us all the joy.  They instinctively know when we may need some extra attention just by moving in a little closer than usual, protecting us emotionally.  Could the simple, uncomplicated relation we have with our furry friends be a lesson to us that human relationships don’t have to be so complex?

This is Chloe, our lovable scruffy little dog, who gives so much more than she expects in return.  Love in a fur coat!

In a world that’s turned upside down on more days than not, it would be helpful to remember the words of the song, “What the World Needs Now”, (lyrics by Hal David and music by Burt Bacharach).  We can’t make huge global shifts on our own, but collectively we have the power to show kindness (love) to those we encounter in our daily lives.  It doesn’t take too much effort to make someone feel good about themselves and to let them know that we care.  We live in a selfish time where it’s “all about me“.  Wouldn’t be better if we could start giving more instead of taking as much as we can get?

As I proofread this post, I see that it isn’t light and fluffy which was my intention.  I was planning to write about St. Valentine, the patron saint of love, Cupid, the Roman god of love, hearts, the symbol of love and emotion and, of course, cards, flowers and chocolates!  In truth, I’m a romantic, not a philosopher…

In spite of the polar vortex that is blanketing much of North America,  I send warm wishes to you for a Happy Valentine’s Day with those you’ve chosen to share your love story.