I live on love, with love, and for love. This is the basic principle of how I live. I’ll explain…
I remember reading somewhere once that a child will feel it when they walk into a room and you light up for them. I didn’t always feel that as a child. It resonated with me. With my own children, I acknowledge them. I smile. I engage them. Perhaps they might not always be up for reciprocating. But, I hope that I made them feel noticed. They matter so much to me.
There have been times when it was only love that got my husband and myself through some pretty awful struggles. Are we perfect? Nope. But, I’d choose him in every lifetime. He is my person. We’ve survived some shit. But, when I think of him, I recall the famous Johnny Cash quote. When Johnny was asked to define paradise, he referred to his wife, June Carter Cash, stating “This morning, with her, having coffee.” This is him for me. Every day, I want to be better for him. I’ve changed a lot. I’ve become better in many ways. I attribute my growth to him. I hope he feels similar.
My childhood wasn’t all love. It wasn’t the worst. It wasn’t the best. But, I had a father who never hesitated to tell me how much he loved me, showed me my value, treated me like his favorite person in the world, and taught me love. If I could be even half as amazing as he was, I’d be on the right track. I never forget his love. I will never forget him. We lost him in December of 2019 and although he only lived with me for 5 days while on hospice, I never forget how honored I felt.
As we get older, time seems to fly. One thing I’ve noticed is when you decide to be better at something and truly put in the effort and work, the results come quickly. Perhaps it’s the quickness of time. Perhaps we become more aware of our behaviors and have the ability to correct them better as we get older. I really don’t know.
What I can attest to for certain…. Love has kept me alive (literally). The cancer that tried to kill me, failed. After being in remission for the past 4 years, I found myself able to recognize love in the smallest forms, in the most genuine interactions, and in my most beautiful achievement. My family.
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