Love

 [luhv]

1. a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person

One of my dear friends lost his mother the other day. She has been struggling with health issues for a long time, but that doesn't make her departure any less heartbreaking. To make it worse, he is halfway across the country from home and won't be able to make it back for several months. He is alone and grieving. My heart aches for him, as do the hearts of many others that have reached out to him virtually. But we all know it's not enough. There's just something about family that soothes the soul. 

My friend didn't grow up in the best of situations. I had a hard time believing it at first. He is extremely intelligent, candid, generous, humorous, fun-loving, and hard-working. He is one of those people that everyone should get to have as a friend. He challenges, inspires, uplifts, encourages, and pushes you to be a better person. And at the end of the day he will race you on tricycles down an aisle at Target. He's that wonderful. 

As I got to know him better over the years, I discovered he has all these amazing traits because of how he grew up. He could have easily become a bitter and hateful person. I am so thankful he took the higher road. He fiercely LOVED his mother despite the problems that arose. And that is what really matters at the end of everything: love. That should be our motivation for everything. True, selfless, Christlike love.

Even now as my friend takes the time to respond individually to the hundreds of messages he has received, he is showing that love for us.

I hope we all take the time to let people know how much we love them. It's the only thing that truly lasts.