"I may not be a smart man, but I know what love is."
Oh, Forrest Gump. You are merely a fictional movie character, but I love your wisdom. Even though you are not real, you are oh so right. You don't have to be smart to know what love is.
Red hearts, Cupid cutouts, flowers and chocolate on Valentines' Day are a fun little distraction during the dead of winter. But they are just tokens. They don't come close to the meaning of true love.
True love is whipping up a hot meal when the cupboards are bare, and you are dead on your feet from an already too long day.
True love is bundling up in coats and boots when you would rather stay inside, to warm up the vehicle for someone before they leave. Extra true love scrapes the snow off the vehicle besides.
True love is doing something for someone who cannot possibly repay you. It is doing a good deed above and beyond what is needed.
True love visits the elderly or shut in, bringing friendship and company to break the loneliness, even if only for a short time. True love checks in before they arrive to see if they need a gallon of milk or a loaf of bread since they are already on the way.
True love is passing the biggest, fluffiest piece of cake on to the next person.
True love is the sacrifice of a parent who goes without so that their children are fed, clothed and equipped for the real world.
True love holds a friend's hand when they cry and is the first to arrive when there is a crisis.
True love heartily celebrates someone else's success and good fortune as if it were their own.
True love walks with a person for two miles when only one mile was asked of them.
True love stays the course through hard times so the good times can be better enjoyed by everyone.
True love makes someone else feel special for no other reason than just because they can.
True love died on a cross so that none of us would have to. True love visited hell to spare me the trip.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!" John 3:16. (NKJ)
Now that's real, true love!
Bev Berens is a mom to 4-H and FFA members in Michigan. Do you have a story to share? Email her at uphillfarm494@yahoo.com.