Wednesday, July 15, 2009

How to Love



Let's speak of love



As I was sitting in the quiet during nap time, text messaging Bill who is at the San Francisco airport, and talking away to you, my blog reading friends, I stopped a minute to go upstairs and see what Kelli was doing. She's here to do some administrative stuff for Bill before he gets back in town, but this is where I found her and I had to take this picture. She is a wife and a mommy (and a business owner and partner of Bryan, her hubby) but doesn't she look just like a daughter here? And look at sweet Miss Bug lying beside her, blissfully sleeping. More people in my bed today, people I love. Tonight Bill will be there again. Yahoo!


Love is a fruit in season at all times. ~ Mother Teresa

I am asking myself about my capacity to love. I remember when I went to kindergarten. I hated it. I missed my mother so much it hurt. I longed for her. I worried about her. When I was a senior in high school, I had fewer classes, so I'd often leave school at lunch time, walk over to my dad's office where my mom worked and we'd go to a little cafe for clam chowder. I have never had clam chowder that tasted so delicious in the company of someone like my mother. When Bill and I were separated by distance after my first year of college, I missed him so much I could hardly stand it. I spent a lot of the money I made that summer flying across the state to see him. My memories of that time are so precious and uncluttered. After our wedding, we came back to my home to pack up our stuff and I cried and cried saying goodbye to my dad. It dawned on me that I was a grown up and leaving my mom and dad's care to depend on Bill (and myself) and even though I couldn't wait to be a wife, I was very aware of how much I'd miss my home and my parents. I love them so much and thoroughly enjoy their company. When we became parents ourselves I remember lying in bed between feedings and telling Bill that I loved little Brad so much it almost hurt. When I had Kelli, I appreciated her little content personality right away and nursed her with complete unselfish devotion that astounded me. Me? I didn't feel like such a grown up, self sacrificing woman, but I knew I loved my babies in spite of myself. When Jeff came along, he was so dear and having a new baby felt like such a sweet gift. He was so agreeable (and still is) and when I was huge and expecting Jenny a year and a half later, I'd lie with him on his sweet little bed at night and think about how much I loved his frisky ways and his ability to rest. I remember the sweet feeling of closeness and I'm sure the bed springs sagged! With a fourth child, life got crazy but I remember distinct moments, looking at round little Jenny in her pink LUVS diaper and tiny undershirt, and feeling a surge of spiritual love quite beyond myself. I've loved so many other people, too. Neighbors, my two sisters and my two brothers, sweet and deep women friends, hundreds of teenagers that have come and gone in our lives, our grandchildren. I was trying to sleep last night while CB moved around beside me and I thought, "Nothing she could do could make me not love her. I love her, I love this, and I love the feeling of love!" I'm also astounded that I love eighth graders. A lot of people don't love them. They really aren't at their finest hour of life, but even without really trying, I love them. I know love isn't just a feeling, it's an act and I know that we don't really understand it. Mankind didn't invent love, people didn't come up with it. Our Creator created it for us. Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself." That sounds active so I'm going to try to think of some new ways to show love. Would you help me? What are some very real and practical ways to let others know we love them? I can't wait to hear what you come up with.

13 comments:

The dB family said...

What a beautiful post! I love the picture of the sleeping beauties.

I have been making a point of sending/giving handmade cards much more often this year. Not just for birthdays, but for those who are under the weather or grieving too. It helps me love each of those people a little more.

Saleslady371 said...

Loved your post and the photos! I loved hearing your story of growing up and then marrying. When it comes to loving, I think about Jesus and how He walked the earth going about doing good and healing people. He was all about relationship. So my answer would be to love others where Jesus shows me a need and helps me to reach out in any way I can with His help!

Teresa Hillis said...

I think letters,cards,an invitation to any meal,or just a simple phone call letting another know they are valued by "you" makes all the difference in day to day life. Flowers for any & no reason @ all permeates the soul. I really enjoy your blog!(& your children's,so fun to see their heart's)

Pom Pom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Pom Pom said...

I deleted my comment because I found a spelling error! I don't really mind spelling errors but the English teacher in me had to start again! Smile. I am in awe of you guys! I knew that love and light would pour in from the precious ones who read my blog! I am going to put these heartfelt suggestions on the sidebar as they come in. I am so encouraged that love brings love and the thread of connection between people so is STRONG! I am blessed.

SuKnitWitty said...

Thoughtfulness is a gift of Love that I Appreciate Giving and Receiving. I value the Thought that Goes with the Thing as much or more than the Thing....sez the WearItOut Thing DoItAll'er...and I Thought this out...I thought!

Love Your Thoughts on Love!

Elizabethd said...

The ability to listen and to spend time with someone, even if you have a million things to do, is to me a way of showing love.
Little things, a card for an anniversary, a phone call when someone is waiting a hospital result, a drive for someone who has not been well..they all add up to loving and giving.

renaissance said...

Such a charming photograph and a lovely post.

Helen said...

I think giving people your time shows them that they are loved. Todays world is so busy, people are rushing around all over the place, busy, busy, busy with no time to breathe almost, let alone think of other people. We can tell others, and indeed be told ourselves by others, that they are loved, but if time is not involved, somehow, then we can tell them as much as we like that we love them, but they won't feel it. It doesn't have to be huge swathes of time either, a quick phone call or text, a card like Deborah said, pop in for half an hour .....

åslaug abigail said...

Pray for them. Even write down your prayers and give them as encouragement. Make cookies, or brownies. Send gifts for no reason. Walk them home in the rain. Even if you'd prefer to stay dry and warm at home. Smile when you see them and give the impression with all you say and do that there's noone else you'd rather be with than them, right now. (and you'll discover soon enough, that there isn't). Ask what God has been doing in their life lately. LISTEN when they answer. Make it a rule not to talk about yourself, but rather listen to others. Pray all the time. Jesus was a pro loving people. He has promised He'll guide us.

åslaug abigail said...

Oh, by the way. Thanks for the comment on my blog =) I'm glad to have found a kindred spirit when it comes to telly-kissing =) =)
I answered your comment back on my blog. How interesting that you're half Norwegian =) do you know any Norwegian?(or where in Norway were your ancestors from?)

Gigi said...

Pom, you are a true unique. Sadly, I don't think there are many people in our world who are as deeply loving as you. You're a gift!
Love,
G

Anonymous said...

A lovely post! I also love sending cards and small gifts to others because I know how much that kind of thing means to me ~ it shows that someone is thinking of you! Just yesterday while we were at VBS another leader brought me a bouquet of dried lavender because she knows I like it. It meant so much and made my day special. I love the ideas that others have shared too!

Sweet blessings on your day,
Sharon

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