Whether we know it or not and whether we feel it or not we are loved! We have it on divine authority that we are loved. We are loved beyond our own understanding and capabilities. But most of us think of love as the romantic type discounting the love of our parents, siblings, friends and relatives.
Perhaps we need to re-educate ourselves to what love is. Love is an action, not an emotion or feeling. Love can be seen, demonstrated, and experienced. Parental love exemplifies love through sacrifice, patience, encouragement, trust, protection, support, and perseverance.
But parental love is not the only example of love. I will always have gratitude for a now deceased customer who always ended her phone call with “We Love You!” The first few times I heard this I was speechless, not knowing how to respond. I didn’t even hear that from my parents. (Ok maybe I heard it a few times as a child at bedtime.)
This lady was a gem she always sent flowers as an expression from the heart. When she asked how I was doing I knew she was genuinely interested. Over time I allowed myself to accept the love she offered and reply “We love you too.” She profoundly impacted my life with her compassion and authentic love of neighbor.
In my business I speak with hundreds of people, or to put it another way I have hundreds of opportunities to value people as people, not as customers. Often time prevents us from forming deeper connections. However, most of us are better at small talk than more intimate and meaningful conversations and often we are uncomfortable when a conversation enters that deeper realm. But unless we put ourselves out there we cannot give nor receive love as the spiritual and humanitarian gift it is intended.
I am blessed with a great many customers (and employees) that have led me to a deeper understanding of love for others and I’m forever grateful for them. Another role model which comes to mind when looking at the calendar is St. Valentine of Rome; a priest imprisoned and later martyred for secretly marrying couples and converting pagans. One account stated he healed the jailer’s blind daughter and on the day of his execution he left the girl a note signed, “Your Valentine.”
If we don’t feel loved, perhaps it is because we don’t have our eyes properly focused. Love doesn’t always present itself in the manner we expect it to be. Sometimes love is revealed in the actions of a family member or friend challenging us to become a better person. And even though we might prefer romantic love, it is more than likely “the feeling” that romantic love induces that we really desire. Therefore we should remind ourselves that “the feeling romantic love manifests never lasts forever because love must deepen in order to endure the challenges of life. (No one can stay in La La Land forever.) Sometimes we cynically think romance is dead when in fact love never really dies, rather it deepens. But don’t take my word for it; trust instead the words inspired by God and given to St. Paul “Love bears all things, believes all things, hope all things, endures all things. Love never fails”. With love Happy Valentine’s Day!
Upcoming events:
Sunday will be chicken fry beginning at 4 p.m. at the Vet’s Club. Eat in or carry out.
Beginning Monday and all week, the Versailles student council will be selling flats of strawberries at $20. Contact Brittany Harman at 526-4427 (VHS).
Birthday wishes to Francis McEldowney, Maggie Shrock, Jean Shimp, Tricia Ingle, Jean Grieshop, Aryana Cordonnier, Kathy Subler, Kim Hayes, Shawn Kemper, Susan Meyer, Dakota Overholser, Kristin Lenox, Christie Boyd, Bruce Simon, Lucinda Todd, Baylee Roll, Nicole Berger, Mark DeMange, Dawn Luthman, Jenni Paulus, Peg Summers, Ola Schafer, Dave Miller, Judy Cochran, Terry Oliver, Angie Minnich, Mary Lou Francis, Jeff Stammen, Mary Bruning, and Deb Godwin. Happy anniversary wishes to Tia and Andy Gehret (7), Lynn and Larry Hemmelgarn (26), Arlene and Bob Lutmer (29), Jana and Doug Reed (34), and Linda and Rob Kendig (45).
Please give your supportive and healing prayers for the many who are dealing with any of life’s countless challenges, and especially for Doug Bruns (heart attack), Conrad Phlipot (VACC), Jean Castle, Laura (Norman) Paulus, Jim Jones, Betty Kremer, Thelma Schultz, Vickie Cottrell, Katelyn Platfoot, Wayne Pittsenbarger, Fr. Ned Brown, Lester Bernholt, Connie Stachler, Tony Gehret, Betty Pothast, Sally Tebbe, Dan Roseberry, Denny Grilliot, John Magoto, Sheila Spahr, Madonna McEldowney, Beverly Brown, Paul Marchal, Linda Kendinger, Mike Hileman, Ralph Gehret, Dave Fullenkamp, Steve Youngker, Harold Langston, Sr., Julie Keihl, Joan Magoto, Jeanne Brandon, Ruth Haft, Rosie Pearson, Virginia Smith, John Subler, Sally Monnin, Sondra Spangler, Mary Barga, Wilma Didier, Anabelle Subler, Jeanette Simons, Julia Billenstein, Merilyn Borchers, Lewis Didier, Lewis May, Connie (Baltes) Lechleiter, Levadia Barga, Jack Borgerding, Dan Monnin, Linda Wilson, John Klipstine, Lois Youngker, Barb Goubeaux, David Zumberger, Brian Voisard, Cyril Frantz, Michelle Ullom, Eileen Rahm, Cyril Voisard, Barb Agne, Samantha Smith, and all those not mentioned by name who are ill, suffering, hospitalized, home-bound and/or in need of our prayers and their caregivers.
Heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Jim Fox (58) Linda Brandt (74), Leslie Bubeck (75), Patricia Francis (83), Joann Bensman (86), Ruby Singer (93), also remembering the lives of Ralph Hartle, Leo Wenning, Betty Ann Hoying, Wilma Monnier, Henrietta Hart, James Edward Petty, Sr., and Richard, Norman Cullars, Helen Canan, Werner Bruggeman, Bertha Bruening, Nicholas Bergman, Carol Kremer, Dale Sherrick, Gary Marchal, Tillie Paulus, Matt Mumaw, Ralph Grillot, Janice Boroff, Mildred Bey, Jan Donnelly, Ed Goubeaux, Gene Loxley and all those in our hearts but not mentioned by name as the anniversary of their passing nears.
“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”~George Sand
“It is astonishing how little one feels alone when one loves.”~John Bulwer
“The supreme happiness of life is the conviction that we are loved.” ~Victor Hugo
