The two subjects I never thought I’d write about: politics and love. Politics, for obvious reasons (even though I have a love for politics). Love, because it is just so personal. But I guess the subject would eventually present itself. And it did. I find some of my best writing comes to me when I’m on walks with Sam, sitting by the water, and more often than not…. while I’m in the shower. Like they say, everyone’s a rock star in the shower. I’m not only a rock star, I’m a novelist! So… one day, the topic of love came to mind. And I got out of the shower and quickly scribbled some words in the margins of a newspaper. I decided to save them for Valentine’s Day. Here they are:

Love.  It’s a pretty universal concept. Love, amour, amore, αγαπη.  Everybody wants it, everybody needs it. I’m not going to go into all of the things that make a relationship great or successful. This is not the self-help section of a bookstore. I’m merely going to speak of love. Romantic Love. In its most raw and vulnerable form. I love hazelnut gelato. But I’m not talking about that kind of love. I’m talking about the kind of love that swells so much within your heart that it hurts. That feeling you get deep in the pit of your stomach. You know, the love that makes you giddy! The kind of love where the sheer joy of knowing someone brings tears to your eyes and you are unable to imagine you could love that person any more because your heart is already so full. And then… you do. You love them even more. And love grows. This love?  ….it knows no bounds.  It’s like peeling back layers of a sweet fruit. Just when you think it’s as good as it gets (because, you think, it’s already so good), it reveals something even better. But you won’t know this until you peel it open!  Keep peeling, you will be amazed at the depths love will take you.  Then, there is the seed – a seed from which more love can be sown. What did I say?  No bounds…  it is endless. (Yes, I’m all about the metaphors today… and apparently much more of a romantic than I thought).

For those of you who know the kind of love of which I speak, you are fortunate, for you know how joyful this love is and how deep this love goes. For those of you still seeking it – have faith, for it does exist. And for those of you who have lost love – know it will find you again. Do not have fear of losing love – fear is what keeps us from enjoying the fullness and pleasure of life! What’s that quote? “Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Cliché. I know. But it’s true. (That quote is from Alfred Lord Tennyson by the way). Love will make itself known when you least expect it and sometimes in the most random or unusual circumstances. It definitely has its own agenda. But when it appears, welcome it. And keep peeling back the layers.

So, you ask, how does my story end? We will see. My story is still being written. But don’t worry about me – my heart is full! Love is never truly lost. It is merely resting within me ready to be awakened again. And one day Love will whisper into my ear, “He’s the one,” about the same time it whispers into his, “Don’t ever let her go.”

Happy Valentine’s Day and much love to all!  I hope your hearts are full today!

XOXO

~ Lori