Love is such a beautiful thing

Growing up I was exposed to the adage that “Let love and live” which I only got to understand the true meaning later in my life. I mean, as a young person, whenever you hear the words the first thing you think of is romance, two people sharing deeply rooted affection for each other.

But through the years I got to understand that this is not only limited to that.

The term is defined by Wikipedia as a variety of strong and positive emotional and mental states, ranging from the most sublime virtue or good habit, the deepest interpersonal affection and to the simplest pleasure.

This can be affection shared between human beings, love for your children, community and total strangers who were swept off their feet at first sight. Yes, even love shared between animals and their masters.

I recently read an article about a dog that waited for its master for five years in the same spot where the owner was killed with the hope that he will one day turn up. I have also taken time to listen to the arguments on the negative side, especially from young people saying it does not exist. Out of heartache, they believe it does not exist and people put up faces to get what they want using the four lettered word.

Well, because I am not naïve and know that there are bad people out there I believe there are people who do that to get their way but this does not mean I don’t believe it doesn’t exist. In one piece I read, the late statesman Nelson Mandela said we are born with love but through life experiences learn and taught to hate. I believe there is so much truth in this. We fall in love with people and everything around us but through time we start developing negative feelings towards the subject.

I recently watched a documentary about an old couple that has been together for 70 years. They got married in their early 20’s and have through the years shared their lives with each other.

Their love story is no different to that of others, they have been through stormy and rosy days together but their love for each other remained.

They explained that they have never not, even once considered walking out of each other’s lives because they loved each other and whatever they were going through didn’t threaten their love for each other.

They say “If you truly love someone/something, you will love it with all its imperfections”.

This is what I believe love is. You love the person or whatever that is you love beyond its imperfections, mistakes, morning breath and even when they don’t put the toilet seat down.

As we celebrate the month of love let us remember to spread the love with those around us. I mean it doesn’t cost a dime to that.