Lately I've been contemplating the word
love. It has so many, many different meanings, connotations, feelings, definitions... but can one word truly encompass all of that? Without a doubt, it has to be the most powerful word in the english language.
I remember a literature class I took in college where we discussed how eskimos have seperate words in their language for all different types of love. Romantic love, love between a family, love for things, etc. Having a seperate, unique word for the feelings they felt gave them an entirely different perspective on the emotions. I thought about how it would change the way I looked at love if I had seperate classifications.
I think our language might be a little lacking, I don't know if the word "love" cuts it. I mean I
love my ipod, I
love my dog, I
love reading. All those things are great, and I use "love" to express that I more than
like them.
But I also
love my husband. I love him in the way that he is my other half, and without him my life wouldn't be complete. I love him because he fills in my shortcomings and builds up my strengths. I love him because is my constant support, and makes me feel like I am the most wonderful woman in the world.
Similarly, I
love my family. I love that they have made me who I am, and are there for me at any second of any day. I love them because they bring me so much happiness, and because we are so united. I love that they are my favorite people in the world.
I love the gospel. I love that I can feel Gods love for me each and every day. I love that Christ atoned for us, allowing us to be imperfect and make mistakes. I love that God strengthens us and give us comfort in our toughest moments.
The last type of love I haven't had the chance to experience until recently. However, it is the one that made me certain the word "love" is so inadequate. To say that I love my son is such an understatement it almost makes me feel sad. There is no word in the english language that even comes close to touching upon the feelings I have for Emmett. Perhaps there never could be a word, because I don't think the feeling you feel for your children is a worldly emotion. I think it is the closest thing we have to Christ's love. It is a love that is so incredibly moving, just looking at my sweet little Emmett makes my eyes well up with tears. A love that makes me pray at night that all his pain and suffering will be taken from him, and given to me to suffer instead. A love that gives my life a whole new meaning, and makes me feel like my role on this earth is so much more important. A love that makes me think "Now I understand what life is all about".
Basically, our language just isn't sufficient... But apparently good ol' Webster didn't think that one through... ;-)
