Love
April Ambles: Reflections of a Philosophical Forager — Day 30
My parents celebrated 63 years of marriage today. Sixty-three years, and more, of waking up together, sharing morning coffee, planting a garden, raising children, grandchildren, adventuring, working hard, bringing in firewood, banking the hearth before bed.
They didn’t choose the easy road. They opted for living close to the bone. No electricity, no running water, no telephone, no TV, for more years than most people of this day and time would be able to handle. Town trips were twice a year, and $200 was their yearly budget, for a family of four.
In recent decades they have given in to a few luxuries. But they still prefer their outhouse to indoor plumbing. They still prefer reading to watching TV. They still march to their own drummer.
How many couples live their dream for as long as my parents? How many can last six decades and more of sharing a vision and a space? How many can see beyond the little — and the large — hurts that pile up in any relationship to the reason they came together in the first place, and find a way to transcend whatever discomfort might rock their boat?
And that is just couples love. What of other loves? Love for family, love of place, love of adventure, love of solitude?
When does like turn to love, and is love always coupled with passion? How do we express our love? How do we accept love from others? How do we teach our children to love?
No matter what happens on this all-too-brief journey, I agree with the prophet Paul: “There are three things that remain — faith, hope and love — and the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
For more amblings from the author, check out Child of the Woods: An Appalachian Odyssey. Also, check out previous ambles from throughout this contemplative month of April. While you’re at it, scroll further down for culinary musings and more. Thank you for reading!
