Friday, February 13, 2009

Real Love


"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."-- by Margery Williams, from The Velveteen Rabbit --
I have always thought that this was one of the best definitions of love and still do. I think sometimes the best lessons of life are learned in children's books.
The photo is of my husband taken in Acadia National Park in Maine with our dog Montana.
I just wanted to wish him a Happy Valentines Day and for showing me the true meaning of love.The true meaning of love for me is exhibited in the little things we do for each other .
I will give you a perfect example on that will make you laugh.
I have to get ready early in the morning to go to work so I am up at 5:00am and I don't turn on the lights in the bedroom because I don't want him to wake up so one morning in a pre-menopausal moment I put on a shoe of a kind and didn't realize it. I called him and he drove 35 miles and was late to work to bring me the right shoes so I wouldn't have to work 12 hours with mismatched shoes.Now to me that is Real Love and I wouldn't trade it for all the cards and flowers in the world.
I also apologize for not posting for awhile. I find that often I go through periods that I feel I don't have anything to say and the past two weeks have felt like that.
I also want to express my prayers and deep sadness for all those who lost their lives last night during the plane crash in Buffalo and also the victims of the bush fires in Victoria in Australia.
May you each have a wonderful Valentines Day.
I will try and post again Monday since I have to work this weekend.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is such a miracle to find it. Happy Valentines Day!

Joni said...

I really like that definition of love and it was a beautiful segue into a lovely tribute to your husband. I'm sure he enjoyed driving the 35 miles just to share an inside laugh with you. Wishing you both a warm and cozy Valentine's Day ~

Amy Ellen said...

How lovely. What blessing to read about you two. You are truly blessed.
Hugs
Amy

Connie said...

I love the picture of your husband.
I also love the story "The Velveteen Rabbit" It is the everyday, simple, sincere acts of love that are the most enduring!

Judy Merrill-Smith said...

35 miles to spare you wearing mismatched shoes -- what a sweetheart! It's the small things that we do for each other that make all the difference. Happy Valentine's Day, Yolanda!

Carver said...

Great shot of your husband with the beautiful rock face behind him. I liked this post a lot and what a great story about the miss-matched shoes. That sounds like something I'd do. Happy Valentine's Day!

Willow said...

Yes, Yolanda, you've found true love. It's not in the flowers and candy, it's in the every day sacrifices and actions. Happy Valentine's Day to you both.

Cedar ... said...

What a loving tribute to your hubby. And for those of us not in a marriage, the same description can be of our life-long best friends. Love comes in many flavors, many sizes,... "best" friend is one of the "best!"

Janna Leadbetter said...

Very, very sweet. Happy Day!

Mary said...

Happy Valentine's Day!

And thank you for thinking of the victims of the devastating fires in Victoria..

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

This is a beautiful post on so many levels. I love that passage about becoming real, and I love the tribute to your husband. Happy Valentine's Day.

Marg said...

It's the little things that count. Too often we overlook them.
You are blessed and honored to have some one who loves you.

SandyCarlson said...

This touchd my heart. Ilov the rabbit's definition of love.

Shelby said...

that book has been treasured for me since finding it as an adult! I only learned of it about 10 years ago.. it's fantastic.

Patti said...

Hi~ What a wonderful post! That passage is one of my favorites - ever and makes me cry every time I read it! You are lucky to have found your love and even luckier to have realized it! Happy Valentine's Day...and enjoy!
Patti- by the way- one of my last posts was on not having anything to say either, so I know how you feel...and I also did the same thing with the shoes and my husband brought mine as welll- we are lucky!

Annie Jeffries said...

Heartwarming. You husband knows what a lucky man he is. Such a loving tribute. Happy Valentine's Day! Annie

Kerstin said...

Oh, I love that quote! Such a lovely story, too, about your husband, he sounds and looks like a wonderful man. Happy Valentine's Day to you both :)

Christy Woolum said...

I also love this definition of love. I have a similar story. We were supposed to switch cars so he could get mine serviced and halfway to work I realized I took my car by mistake. When I called he was willing to drive 16 miles to switch cars. Fortunately there was not rush and we switched the next day. Happy Valentine's Day.

Paula said...

The Velveteen Rabbit is one of my all-time favorite stories. The passage you quoted is absolutely perfect for Valentines day. So glad you have a Real Love, as do I.
Hope you had a good weekend!

Jan said...

Lovely. You are blessed.

Anonymous said...

I like your thoughts on love! Very nice Valentines post!

Amy said...

What a great photo of your husband and Montana! Your post is very touching and reflects what I consider true love. A belated happy Valentine's Day to you!

Carolynn Anctil said...

Ah, the Velveteen Rabbit. I love that book and it still makes me cry, even as an adult.

Your husband sounds like one of the 'Real' ones!