All you need is love

November 8, 2008

I believe that love is a living thing.  It is born, it evolves and grows, and sometimes it dies (but not usually).  And I believe that there are as many different kinds of love in the world as there are people, animals, land, and every other thing that we can find to hold onto in our hearts. 

Having this perspective allows me to love pretty much everyone and everything I come across.  It is a little time consuming and can be overwhelming, trying to hug the whole world. 

But mostly it is thoroughly rewarding, and is the very best way I can find to simplify my life. 

A few weeks ago my brother and his new bride walked back up the isle after exchanging vows to the song, “All You Need is Love,” by the Beatles.  All you need is love.  Amen.       

At least that’s how I usually see the world.  But after a rough week, by last Sunday I was feeling some cracks in my hug-the-world philosophy.  It was just one of those weeks. 

Thank goodness for Herb.  He’s a guy I used to work with at McDonalds during high school.  He still works there.  I don’t know his age, but he was old when I was in high school, and he’s still old today. 

He comes to church every Sunday with his wife.  They are always holding hands or standing with their arms around each other, much like my brother and his wife on their wedding day. 

It is one of the most hopeful examples of love I’ve ever witnessed, and it is reason enough right there to go to church.

No matter how old Herb gets, the twinkle in his eyes burns just as bright.  He often jokes with me that he’s still waiting for his kiss.  I am usually far too shy to actually go through with it.  But this Sunday, I was overcome.  I leaned down and gave him a big ol’ kiss on the cheek. 

His little wife squeezed my arm and said, “Hey now!” in mock jealousy.  After the service, Herb gave me a hug and said, “Thanks for the kiss.  I’ve been waiting for that a long time.” 

Then he looked right into my eyes, showered me with twinkles, and said, “I love you.”  I gave him another quick squeeze and turned away to hide my tears. 

You just never know how a simple expression of love will affect someone.  There are endless opportunities in a lifetime to make someone’s day.  And sometimes, love can even heal a person’s soul.  On Sunday, I’m pretty sure I made Herb’s day.  I’m certain he healed my soul.

The times in my life when I love boldly, when I fearlessly express my love and devotion to people, are the times I feel the most at home within my own skin. 

Those times when I allow a hectic schedule or distraction or shyness (my most common affliction) to discourage me from expressing love are the times when I feel the most lost and empty. 

With three words, I understood the source of Herb’s twinkle.  There is nothing more courageous than loving fearlessly.  There are people in the world who believe they must muscle their way through life – that bravery is defined by the number of people they intimidate. 

But I wonder, what requires more courage, to flex your muscles, or to place your heart in someone else’s hands? 

Herb gets it.  My brother and his new bride get it.  John Lennon got it.  All you need is love.  I kissed an old man on the cheek.  And just like that, my bad week was over. Oh, and Herb, I love you, too.

This article first appeared in the Lewistown News-Argus November 8, 2008.