The Meaning of Love

Two nights ago, on Christmas Eve, my husband and I were plotting for the biggest surprise we had ever given to any of our children: the gift of a car.

I'm not talking a Mercedes or a Porche (or any vehicle's name I cannot pronounce). I'm talking a PT Cruiser, and a beater at that.

But to this kid, It might have well been plated in solid gold and ran on fairy dust.

Yes, as the child gets older, the price of the toys goes higher.

Late that evening, and into the early morning, I'm wrapping gifts. My husband sits in the chair opposite me to hand me gifts, tags, pens and the use of an occasional index finger in order to tie a ribbon.

I opened my mind to him and started to talk about, well, me.

I discussed my hopes and aspirations, and my fears. Self-doubt sometimes raises its ugly head into the realm of my consciousness and messes with my feelings of self-worth. Lately, I reflect, it's been an uphill battle and something I've been having to beat down.

I tell him that I've been waiting to hear from a literary agent, and my present outlook is not a good one. Speaking my thoughts out loud, I say that I will probably self-publish, publish the sequel then drop it and never write another word.

Without batting an eye, my husband replies with the most awesome thing he has ever said. He tells me, "I don't see you giving up your dreams, not in light of the fact of how far you've already come. I think you should continue to try. It's something you enjoy. If no one else reads your stories, what do you care? You're already a success because you've set out to do something you've always wanted to do. You're not a quitter."

This man gave me the best gift I could have ever received.

Some Things I have Learned

I’ve learned that you can’t fix everything or everyone.

I’ve learned that I have to accept things for what they are, people for who they are and me for me.

I’ve learned that Murphy’s Law is for real and Karma is a real bad mother.

I’ve learned that when I think I may be at the end of my rope, there’s always someone there, albeit my heavenly father, to either tie a knot in it for me to hold on, or to tie more rope on the end to get me through it.

I’ve learned that the majority of people’s problems are based on misunderstanding.

I’ve learned that, although I question things that don’t make sense – like why do hot dogs come in an 8 pack while the buns come in a 10 pack – I’m still not going to get an answer.

I’ve learned that it’s OK to dream, to cry, to laugh, to morn, to be happy, to be angry, to be sad and to love.  It’s not OK to hate.

I’ve learned that the minimum daily requirement for hugs has not yet been established.

I’ve learned that the only answer to a futile endeavor is to just give up.

I’ve learned that while it’s my responsibility to teach others when I can, it’s also my responsibility to learn from them at the same time.

I’ve learned that the best answer is the truth, and the best action is to do good – even when I don’t particularly want to.

I’ve learned that there’s just no good way to stop the hiccups.

I’ve learned that I don’t know everything there is to know, and I still have much more to learn.