For the Love of Love!

How many ways do we show love?  Well, that's a question that requires not much thinking, right?  Because when one is in love, he or she CAN'T think clearly!  We jump into a frying pan and stir up ways to please the one we love, and, we worry about making that person happy with our offerings.

Are we very clear on the subject of love...knowing its true meaning?  Well, I'm not an expert on the subject, but, I have been known to love!  Of course, there's my "White Knight" on a horse, just waiting to rescue me from the perils of loneliness, lol!

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Hey!  I said "White Knight", not unshaven  "cowpoke"!  What are you doing here, Elvis!?!  I mean, couldn't you have at least cleaned up before you made an "unannounced visit"!

~Elvis Presely in 1969 film Charro

The only time Presley ever appeared in a film, bearded!

So...where were we?  Oh, yes! (actually, that was a very pleasant interruption, wasn't it?)  As we all know, there are many kinds of love.  I can't even begin to list all of the facts, meanings and, kinds of love that exist.  From Philosophers, to Biologists, Proverbs, and Psychologists...take your pick, you will find some interesting information!

*  Love can be  *

*  to be delighted by the happiness of another

*  a condition of absolute value

*  unconditional selflessness

Other examples are:

* Interpersonal Love - a feeling of warm, personal attachment, such as love for a family member.

* Impersonal Love - loving an object or a goal to which we are committed.  "I love music."

* Unrequited Love - this is when the one who is loved, does not return the love.  A lot of times, the recipient is not even aware of the other's feelings.  I think many of us have been in this scenario before, and it can be sad and stressful.  However, sometimes it is a blessing that the recipient is not aware of the feelings of another, making it easier for that person to move on.

*  And, then there is  Love of sexual passion or desire

For Valentine's Day, I dug deep into my mind's eye for a favorite, short, love story!  And, guess what I found?  Actually, it is a Christmas story, but, love is love anytime of the year, isn't it?

I'm taking us back to around 1905, New York City, where author O. Henry is allegedly sitting in Pete's Tavern.  He wrote a Christmas story about a poor married couple, barely able to make ends meet, but, are determined to give each other something special for Christmas.

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The young wife, Della is sad and tearful, that after paying bills, she only has $1.87 left to spend on a Christmas gift for her husband Jim.  She believes, that after all of his hard work for a meager $20.00 per week, Jim deserves a more worthy gift, than what $1.87 could buy!

After having a good cry, Della wiped her eyes, and dabbed a bit of powder on her cheeks.  For some moments she thought more about how she had saved every penny she could, and wanted to do something special for Jim.  Then, Della just happened to glance at her image in the pier-glass between the windows of the room, when the idea came to her.   

With tears in her eyes, she threw on her old brown jacket, and old brown hat, then whisked out the door and into the street.

Della ran into Madame Sofronie's Hair Goods shop, and asked, "Will you buy my hair?"  And, Madame replied, "I do buy hair.  Take yer hat off and let's have a sight at the looks of it."  With that, down rippled the brown cascade of Dell's prized hair.  "Twenty dollars.", Madame said as she lifted the mass of hair with a practised hand.  "Give it to me quick," said Della.

Two hours later, on what O. Henry describes as having "tripped by on rosy wings," Della finally found the gift that had been made for Jim and no one else.  It was a platinum fob chain simple and chaste in design, so worthy of the grand watch Jim looked at on the sly because of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain.  Della paid the $21.00 for the chain and went home with the remaining 87 cents in her purse. 

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When she heard her husband at the door, after his day at work,  Della's heart sank in fear that Jim may not think her pretty anymore.  Little did she know that he had been through a similar experience just that day.  His expression as he looked at her, terrified her-not of anger, nor horror, or any sentiment that she could read.  He simply stared at her with that peculiar expression on his face.  "Jim, darling," she cried, "don't look at me that way.  I had my hair cut off and sold because I couldn't have lived through Christmas without giving you a present."

Then, after a few seconds, Jim took a package from his overcoat pocket and threw it on the table.  He assured Della that a haircut could not make him like his girl any less, and asked her to open the package.

Oh, the outpouring of emotion was incredible!  Screams of joy, hysterical tears and wails, for the beautiful tortoise shell combs with jeweled rims that she had yearned for, having adored them from a shop window.  Looking up at Jim through dim eyes, Della said, "My hair grows so fast, Jim!"  And, with that, handed him the beautiful present she had bought for him.  "Hand me your watch.  I want to see how it looks on it."  Jim sat down on the couch and smiled.

And, the rest we know...the young couple agreed to put their Christmas presents away for the time being.  You see, Jim had sold his prized watch to get the money for the combs!

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Now, is that one great love story, or what?  To sacrifice your most prized possession for the "love of love", and, to delight unselfishly in the happiness of the one you love, is a...well, I can't really explain it, but, to say it is a 'blessedness' !   

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I so hope you enjoyed this Christmas story for Valentine's Day!  I believe we've all experienced that type of love at some time in our lives as teens, young adults, and, older adults.  And, I also believe that there is a true love for each of us at some time in our lives! Most of the time we don't even have to look for it!

And, now, it's time to thank:

Wikipedia

Yahoo images

Blogger

Google

Dictionary.com

http://www.online-literature.com

O. Henry (author)

Elvis

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Ok, ok...Here he is folks!  Our "White Knight" is all cleaned up!

I'm so glad you could make it Elvis!

"Uh, Thank ya...thank you very much.  I just wanna say one thing!"

"All the Stars will tell the story of our love and all its glory...

Let us make this night of magic, and make it a night of Love!"

~Elvis Presley, surrender

♥ And, I want to thank all of you, my dear readers for coming by today.  I hope you've got something special planned for the one (s) you love.  Me?  Well, I believe my little grandson and his dad will be my escorts for a nice dinner and some cake later!  ♥

Happy Valentine's Day to you all with hugs from Fort Worth, Texas!  If you get the chance, drop in and say hello!  I'm always happy to see you!  Take care and be safe!

See you next time! 💖