What is your definition of LOVE? Come on, men, please chime in, too. AND, if you'd like to include what you're getting your loved one on this day, that would be fun to read!Happy Valentine's Day to everyone who makes GeeeZ work so well.....I love you all for your visits, your comments, your support especially when I lost Mr. Z and then was so sick these last 2 months........I may not define this love for you as the same as I had for Mr. Z (certainly not) or the love I have for my mother or siblings or personal friends or my home or the beach down Wilshire Boulevard, but it is a love. I promise.
The Gerbera Daisy is for Mr. Z Happy Valentine's Day, honey.
Z
55 comments:
What is your definition of LOVE?
Eagerly looking forward to remembering how happy you are right now.
My definition: putting Mr. AOW first in my life -- even ahead of blogging. **wink**
My definition is: Putting my dear ones, family and close friends ahead of myself, and closing ranks, and pulling together when the going get's tough.
Happy Valentine's Day everyone!
Pris
Shaving with the last razor in the house, the one my wife and daughter used to shave their legs, because my wife doesn't like stubble.
Ouch.
First Corinthians: 13
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not Love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not Love, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not Love, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Love suffereth long, and is kind; Love envieth not; Love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13. And now abideth faith, hope, Love, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
St. Paul
In addition to silly novelty boxer-shorts and a giant Kit Kat bar (Mr. AOW's favorite candy bar), I gave Mr. AOW a card that reads as follows:
I Love You (on the cover)
(the verse inside)
We've been together
long enough to understand
that life isn't always simple.
Some days are easier than others.
But we've also been together
long enough to be sure of each other.
We know that no matter what,
our love is tried and true.
And that's just the way I love you...
with all my heart,
for all my days,
just as sure and steady as ever.
Happy Valentine's Day
What is Love?
Making a firm commitment always to put yourself last.
Always extending a helping hand to those in need no matter how it inconveniences or impoverishes you.
Always giving others the benefit of the doubt.
Always working to develop your capacity for empathy.
Taking full advantage of every opportunity to be kind and generous.
Exercising your option always to be forgiving.
Having the courage always to tell the truth to those you care for, even if you risk losing comfort and pleasure in the relationship -- or even the relationship, itself..
Shakespeare said, “Love does not alter when it alteration finds.”
Grandmother used to say, “Only those who love you have the courage to hurt your feelings in order to tell you what you need to know.”
Christ, God, the only perfect embodiment of Love who ever lived, said, “Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they do,” as they whipped and beat Him, mocked Him, spat on Him, tore the flesh from His bones, nailed Him to the Cross, beat him unmercifully, and kept on torturing and humiliating Him in front of jeering throngs, until He died.
And we dare to think of ourselves “Christian” when we take umbrage, berate, despise and reject each other for imagined slights that reflect only our emotional immaturity and essential self-centeredness in the face of Christ’s Ultimate Sacrifice for us?
St.Valentine, himself, wound up being martyred. If we truly want to be loving human beings, we must be willing to sacrifice everything we have including our very lives for the sake of Truth, Charity and Forgiveness.
No one who nurses a grudge and seeks to punish transgressors can properly call himself a loving human being.
Love is nothing less than eternal, unstinting sacrifice for the sake of others in ways great and small.
Love is when your mate goes shopping solo and scans the clearance rack for you.
No gifts here. We don't celebrate valentine's.
We have a saying in our house. Everyday is Valentine's Day. Still I got Mrs. EB flowers, candy, a Teddy bear and some pampering stuff.
I don't understand what love is, but it manifests in a million little ways.
To my children, love is time spent to gether.
For me, it's seeing a need and tending to it, without fanfare.
I got each of my kids a book, a cookie, and a scarf.
LOVE = CHARITY
Webster Dictionary, 1913
Charity n.; pl. Charities (#). [F. charité fr. L. caritas dearness, high regard, love, from carus dear, costly, loved; asin to Skr. kam to wish, love, cf. Ir. cara a friend, W. caru to love. Cf. Caress.]
1. Love; universal benevolence; good will.
Now abideth faith, hope, charity, three; but the greatest of these is charity. 1. Cor. xiii. 13.
They, at least, are little to be envied, in whose hearts the great charities . . . lie dead. Ruskin.
With malice towards none, with charity for all. Lincoln.
2. Liberality in judging of men and their actions; a disposition which inclines men to put the best construction on the words and actions of others.
The highest exercise of charity is charity towards the uncharitable. Buckminster.
3. Liberality to the poor and the suffering, to benevolent institutions, or to worthy causes; generosity.
The heathen poet, in commending the charity of Dido to the Trojans, spake like a Christian. Dryden.
4. Whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the needy or suffering for their relief; alms; any act of kindness.
She did ill then to refuse her a charity. L'Estrange.
5. A charitable institution, or a gift to create and support such an institution; as, Lady Margaret's charity.
6. pl. (Law) Eleemosynary appointments [grants or devises] including relief of the poor or friendless, education, religious culture, and public institutions.
The charities that soothe, and heal, and bless, Are scattered at the feet of man like flowers. Wordsworth.
Syn. -- Love; benevolence; good will; affection; tenderness; beneficence; liberality; almsgiving.
love is a choice where that person's or persons' needs are ahead of your own. even if it's inconvenient.
mr. j is out of town today - I put a card in his suitcase before he left. and I sent my granddaughters each a book - laela's with my voice reading it.
I call it rare.
Unconditional surrender of the "heart".
Real love translates to excellent communication skills between a man and a woman.
Without it, you can't have love. With it, you get to have good marriages like I do. Going on past twenty years since last month and I would never trade it in for anything else.
so many amazing comments here - i wish there was a "like" button. :)
Love?
Man's innate desire as a mortal creature for eternal posession of the Good and giving birth in beauty (Plato, "Symposium").
I always thought Kenny Chesney got it right on that one.
DaBlade...that makes me cry.
I had a man like that. It's not an easy thing to lose.
I guess I could define love now with something like by staring into his eyes in a picture of him (I can finally do that now) or what we called our "card extravaganzas" when we'd have a card by each others' bedside table when we awoke on our anniversary or Valentine's Day...and at the sink when we got up, and at lunch, and maybe with dinner and on our pillow that night....when I'd include a piece of his favorite Lindt chocolate. Love is having my stepkids stay here for 3 months....love is sitting down to dinner like the 3 of us did Friday night and feeling the huge hole of his passing but feeling good that we were together in his memory.
Lots of thoughts but most are too personal to share. Thanks for the reminder of that terrific lyric.
I'm glad you've got that, too...I'm happy for anybody who has a great marriage.
I guess I could define that feeling I have for all of you who DO have that as a kind of love, too.
When Mr. Z first died, the one thing I heard the most was "What can I do for you?" And I'd always answer "Love your spouse more than you thought possible and treat him or her better and better each day.....for my Mr. Z"
Beamish....you are a cynic ;-)
AOW, even ahead of BLOGGING? Yes, that is REAL love :-)
Mr Z adored this blog, it helps me feel close to him.
Craig, stubble is BAD :-)
soapster, is your mate out for hire? :-)
EB...good saying for any household!
In 15 years she could have left me at any time but she hasn't yet. I guess that'd be a no?
soapster! I meant about shopping and checking for sales! I'm not a girl who's looking for a wife, believe me! :-)
NOT THAT THAT WOULD BE A BAD THING OF COURSE, GOT TO BE POLITICALLY CORRECT (smile)
But, seriously...I'll bet she's a good gal and I wish you MANY MANY healthy happy years together, I really do.
Oh right silly me. Uh really that'd be a no again. She hates shopping.
love the comments on this one Z!.sorry for your loss again but all those fond memories eh..hugs to u my friend and ..HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!! xxoo
"soapster said...
Love is when your mate goes shopping solo and scans the clearance rack for you."
WHat did I misunderstand? Sorry! I thought you meant she likes to shop and helps you out by scanning sales!! THAT is a friend I'D like to have because I HATE to shop, too, even if I am a woman! :-)
Angel, thanks so much, sweetie...'sweetie' is perfect in view of your Valentine's post PICTURES!! WEIGHT WATCHERS: ARREST THAT WOMAN!! :-)
A unique glimpse of mother love and sacrifice:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtwOhXitV4Q
Cynical? Moi?
I wasn't trying to come off as cynical.
I'm a sentimental softie. Movies make me cry.
Tell anyone, I keel you.
Z- It's obvious you and Mr. Z shared so much love together, and what great memories! Thanks for sharing some of them. As that poem says, "So long as we live, they too shall live, For they are now a part of us, As we remember them." Happy Valentine's Day my friend.
Anonymous said...
A unique glimpse of mother love and sacrifice:
-------
LOL!
That truly made my day, Anon!
My four year old cut her own bangs this morning...down to the scalp!
She leaves a trail of destruction everywhere she goes, but I can't help but be totally IN LOVE with her!
xoxoxox
That's the whole point. She hates to shop but will nonetheless do it from time to time. That she hates to do it but will even go to the extra length of looking for stuff for me is commendable.
Avoiding theology and philosophy, love is that which seeks what is best for the beloved regardless of cost to self or, sometimes, regardless of the desires of the beloved. (Think about the second part before you question it.)
I don't think I can define LOVE in one short comment. But I know it when I see it and when I have it,... and hubby and I do. We will be married 39 years in September.
I have not one, but TWO dozen red roses sitting on my table. He's so sweet, even though he calls himself the Grouch!
Debbie
Right Truth
http://www.righttruth.typepad.com
soapster, FINALLY, I get it! Sorry, pal! :-) SHe's a keeper!
HEY EVERYBODY, my amazing stepson who's staying with me from Munich suddenly said "Let's go to THE SHACK for Valentine's Day lunch" as I was about to lurk into the kitchen to find something that I wanted to eat under 80 calories (smile)....
SO, we had a great lunch...he, a double cheeseburger with bacon, me their FABULOUS Philly Cheese Steak WITH the rolls flown in FROM Philadelphia!! sauteed onions, peppers.....MAN is it good!
Now THAT is two kinds of love... between stepson and stepMom who really like and respect each other and (drum roll)...FOR DELICIOUS FOOD!
DaBlade, thanks...he was quite a guy and I suspect you are, too. I know you are.
Jen! I once cut my sister's hair just in the back...the left side and the right side, thereby leaving what I THOUGHT was a PONY TAIL because the hair hung down where it wasn't cut! I think I was 5 and she was 4 or something but I do remember my parents had a barbecue in the backyard that afternoon because I had to watch the WHOLE THING from my bedroom window in punishment!! :-) (I honestly do remember that so there might have been some major spanking on my fanny, too :-)
CUT BANGS TO THE QUICK? OH, JEN!!! I love how you love your childrenxxx
Shoprat, I missed you SO much when you were not blogging but caring for your parents and the house and all....I know all of us did. I am LOVING (smile) that you're back.
And, yes, I understand what you wrote very well.....and think it's very wise.
Debbie, it sounds like you cherish him and that he's worth it. It doesn't get better than that. I wish I'd had that long with my Mr. Z...brother, DO I. I like to think he was smiling down on his son and me while we shared lunch and music on the juke box and good conversation.
By the way, who wrote THAT SMELL? I love it, while I hate the title, and I couldn't remember...
I found the band: LYNYRD SKYNYRD...I know that I liked the group, too.
beamish, your first comment does sound a little cynical.....maybe it's just me!
and, don't worry, commercials make ME cry!
To all who cherish love
<< http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzakT6DiwWc >>
SAM
Always remembering to put the toilet seat up. Then down afterwards.
For me going on 42 years..."The wanting and the willingness to good for that one."
Imp
Sam, I have never heard of Ibrahim Ferrer and absolutely loved his voice and his style. Thank you for posting that...
I love gardenias...I had them in my hair and my bouquet at my wedding, THANK YOU for this. What a wonderful video!
RedWOod, HOW romantic (smile!)
Imp...42 yrs...what a blessing.
Zin;
I'm happy that it pleased you.
If you love this kind of music, you would google Buena Vista Social Club.
They had more than 1,000 concerts;
This is the most famous for salsa and romantic swinging.
I know Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Pertuendo Personnaly;
TRES DOUX, et melancoliques
SAM
Do you know Charles Aznavour? xx
I met his sound Engineer;
Il chante come un casserol.
Il n'a pas de voix.
Last year; they asked me to extract his voice; I did not accepted.
Love is a choice. And it is unconditional.
Oh. To me "eagerly looking forward to remembering how happy you are right now" means knowing you've finally found yourself in love and you don't want out of it.
Maybe there's a touch of ache and pain cynicism there, but really to me its an expression of yearning to keep the success you've found.
It's naked vulnerability, plainly stated. Always having that fresh sense of innocent and naivete that makes love all sappy and gooey and cuddly and such.
Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called..."
Y'know?
Love is a triggering puls to re adjust the heart.
this is the scientifical explanation of love
We need love;
Without that trigger; our heart will stray.
and for some people; the heart will follow the reason, which is not good.
a good heart is triggered frequently.
SAM
Z,
you sure did a number on your sister!
Lil Sis was tired of her bangs falling into her eyes...so she fixed the problem.
After I took several photos of the PILE of hair on the floor, and of her GRINNING face, I contemplated a lecture on the danger of scissors and how she should NEVER cut her own hair (or her siblings', for that matter).
But...I decided against it.
I laughed and kissed her.
I spend enough time scolding.
I need more hugs and kisses in my life.
I remember the whoopin' I got in 1st grade when I shaved off my left eyebrow.
Just one of them.
I "wanted to see what it would look like."
LOL
WHAT IS LOVE?
A state of blessedness few really experience, because most folks are too self-absorbed ever to notice other people at all, except as potentially useful objects.
Love is unselfishness pure and simple.
will answer later, gone most of the day at the policeman's funeral I wrote about.
Elmer's Bro will be deleting anything untoward........just so some people know.
But, I will say Beamish, I get your point now......seemed like it meant you know you'll be unhappy in the future and will need to look back.
I like your explanation FAR better :-)
But, I will say Beamish, I get your point now......seemed like it meant you know you'll be unhappy in the future and will need to look back.
I like your explanation FAR better :-)
Well, you can't really know if you're going to be unhappy in the future.
But if you're happy enough to try to make it to the future and find out...
That's love.
Love is a tricky word to define, but I definitely know it when I experience it with Mr. Cube, my family, and friends. The instances are too numerous to mention and, thank goodness, happen much more than one day a year.
But love goes beyond that.
In 2008, our beloved German shepherd was dying and we all knew it. We didn't want to take her to the vet's office again because she hated going there.
It was Friday and Valentine's Day, but we chose to have a mobile vet come to the house that night because we were afraid the pain would become too great and the mobile vet wouldn't be able to come back until Monday.
Dax died in the comfort of her home with her human pack around her.
Even though February 14th has been a low key day for all of us ever since, we wouldn't have changed a thing.
Beamish, yup! That's love :-)
Cube, what a touching story. And how wonderful you and Mr Cube have so much love all around you.
xxx
Love has nothing whatsoever to do with pursuing our personal happiness. In truth love is a duty.
We all should do everything possible to enhance whatever possibilities for peace, joy and fulfillment there might be for everyone we know -- and everyone we meet.
Love requires us to be gracious -- to deny our egocentrism, and focus our energies on helping others -- if only by taking time to show interest in their lives, treat them as though they matter, and never failing to be courteous.
In exercising charity towards all -- even perfect strangers we may encounter during our daily walk -- we then open the possibility for finding happiness in our own lives.
If you would have your life, you must be willing to lose it for the sake of Spirit, Principle, Life, Truth and Love.
"What's the use of wonderin'
If the endin' may be sad,
And now's the time to break
And run away?
Oh, what's the use of wonderin'
If the endin' may be sad,
She's your gal, or he's your feller,
There's nothin' more to say."
The joy is in the journey not the ending.
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