True Love

February is a crazy month for me.

It is also the month known for True Love...something my life has been overwhelmingly blessed by.

February has been fairly consistent as far as when transitions fall into my family’s sweet little life. It is always a huge time of change and growth. It is timely enough - I guess - since this change can been seen across the continent, taking place everywhere in this part of the hemisphere; Just look at nature alone.

Change is not easy for us, and I imagine it is difficult for our natural world as well...

The changing of seasons sneaking up on us... The hint that winter is fighting against the oncoming spring... That old has come to an end to allow new to be born and to refuel our lives. A change necessary in order for us to soldier on…

Somehow it all seems linked to this crazy journey we have all willingly and unwillingly embarked upon.

Change is a bittersweet must. Change plays the role of teacher and thief. Change allows us to gain a bit of wisdom and steals away some innocence.

And I can’t help but marvel at the incredibly powerful... The warriors among us... Inside us all, who when are hit typically hard by this oxymoron, respond with great strength, beauty and love.

February is known for it’s famous Hallmark holiday (as it is often referred to) -- Valentine's Day.

I cannot say I am fond of Valentine’s Day – I loved it as a child. Chocolates and cards, extra kisses and special dinners.

I truly have no need to save all my “I love yous” for one day a year. However, I do celebrate the day, because the kids enjoy it so very much. Therefore, I cannot say that I dislike it either – Because how can you not like a day that is dedicated to Love?

But what I can say, is that I have seen true love, and to be completely honest, it has never been on Valentine’s Day.

I have seen it as I pull in to my kiddos elementary school and see a flag at half mast... A honorable reminder to remember a fallen comrad, a loved one, a soldier or a friend  who has served their time here on earth and have a journey homeward.

I have seen true love, in the eyes of my husband as he looked into my soul and held each of our children - so fresh from God – in his arms.

I have seen true love as I watch my parents dance in the kitchen, wake the other to get up and watch a sunrise, and embrace each other as life throws them curve balls – Never faltering - even after almost 40 years of marriage…

I have seen the essence of true love as people put aside their differences to come together during times of great tragedy and sadness... and work together -- to do what is right and just.

I see true love every day through my walk -- from my Faith.

I have seen true love in the forgiveness of a parent to a child… and in child to parent…

True love is of beauty indescribable... True love is brutal... True love is infinite…

My wish for my own – is that change goes easy on them. That life only throws them what they are able to handle. Although I know too well that it may be more…

I pray that the good Lord will walk with them on this journey. And in the end I pray that they experience life’s lessons on change by being surrounded by those who walk this earth and fight the good fight. That they know these people... They laugh with them... They cry with them... They gain vision from them…

--And in the end that they are blessed by the healing powers of True Love…

And learn to pass it on…