Love Comes Naturally
Valentine’s Day is next week, so the world is filled with shoppers for beautifully decorated cards, flowers, chocolates, gifts, diamonds and other grand gifts for those they love. While I think this is a wonderful holiday, it strikes me that every day should be about the ‘action’ of showing love, not just one day a year. But given it is an official holiday, let’s talk a little about love.
There are all kinds of ‘love’. Love is a word that is used easily in our language whether about food, a song, our pets, our vehicles, a special place and also about the people we care about. So on some levels, ‘love’ is a totally subjective topic!
I remember when I first saw my now husband, 51 years ago. It seemed almost like an instant connection/attraction. I didn’t have much self-esteem; so much so, when I was complimented for anything I was embarrassed. Nor did I consider myself at all pretty and was completely surprised that anyone would even be interested in me, much less want to marry me!
When I think of love, past the love I have for my husband, I think of my children. There is nothing so precious as looking into the eyes of a newborn baby. With each child I had, the emotion was still fresh. As each child grew, the look of total devotion given from the child, to me as momma, is a grand definition of love.
When I think of the bond and relationship between my children and one of our dogs, there is another vivid picture of love. We had one son who adored a puppy we had, and in times when the puppy was in ‘time out’ (in his dog crate with the door locked) our son would sidle up beside him and read him a book! That was adorable.
We all need to be loved, regardless of our status in life, our appearance or even our abilities. The truth is, however, our culture has a mindset that we need to find a partner based on a generic list. It varies from person to person, but often the list includes, the best looking, smartest, most athletic, healthy partner, and please don’t forget one that has plenty of funds to provide me with everything I want or need!
Of course not everyone believes all these elements are necessary to have a great relationship with someone else, but on some level almost all of these are expected; although each criteria list is certainly different. Many would (and should) include thoughtfulness, warm, kind, friendly…and these are all good things. But not everyone has the same level of each one of the characteristics named!
This thought process brings us to the question of being disabled. What happens to them? Can a disabled person find love? The answer is a resounding, yes! Attitude is a great equalizer here. If a person finds the right qualities in a disabled person, whether he/she be blind, deaf, in a wheelchair, wearing a prosthetic, or anything else, then certainly a great connection can be made, which eventually can and does lead to love.
There may be the need to make special accommodations on one side or the other, but love is not affected by any ‘non-ability’. A person’s handicap does not make them any less lovable. The misconceptions that come with the idea that we need to be ‘nearly perfect’ in body is a myth. When our hearts say, “I love you”, that’s all that matters.
#Valentine’sDay #DisabledLove #LoveHappens #Disabilities #WeAllNeedLove #EveryoneWantsLove #Abilities
Photo Credit (2): https://www.google.com/search?q=free+love+pics&client
Photo Credit: https://www.shutterstock.com/search/disabled-love