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Love is...

inspired by the #doodleaday prompt for 3/8/17

Draw love. Without hearts or using the color red.

No problem. Those aren't really things I associate with love so much anyway. Valentine's Day, yes, but love? Nah.

As I was thinking about this prompt, I realized that I am a person that "overuses" the word love. I'm always telling people that I love their ideas. Their funky socks. Their faces. I was wondering if that cheapens "love."

Then I realized that was probably the stupidest thought I'd ever had.

I tell people I love them and their ideas and thoughts and whatevers because I DO. Love for me isn't scarce. I don't need to ration it. I don't need to hoard it for myself. When other people are clever or creative or unabashedly themselves, it makes me outrageously happy, and I want them to know. I need to tell them that these little bits of awesome are noticed. Appreciated.

So that brings us to the doodle. It's a circle - no beginning, no end, warm and safe inside like an embrace. But there's not enough paper for the love. It leaks off the sides. It has openings to let love in and out and people and things and ideas come and go as they need. I can't contain my love. Not on a sticky. Not to a few people or ideas. Not in my thoughts and actions.

Love's too big for that.

Comments

  1. Lisa NobleMarch 9, 2017 at 7:18 PM

    Thanks so much for this. I have been having the same conversation with myself about my use of love, and I couldn't have worded my response better. I do want people to know that I think their ideas, stories, laughter, and yes, socks (especially hand knit) are remarkable and that they bring me joy. I stand in solidarity with you on the non-rationing of my love.

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