Love Giving

My daughter is now 19, and she cares for other people's children from time to time. But, I too recall the first time I left her in the hands of my very nervous husband, who was not experienced with babies. A few weeks after our daughter was born I went for a manicure - a little touch of pampering. I was going to be five minutes from home, for no more than an hour, and I gave him the 'what to do if' guide. When I came home the two of them were fast asleep on our unmade bed, he on his back and she on her stomach, on top of his. Needless to say, this was a Kodak moment and I cherish the photograph I took on that day. As you, Lori, related, the father/daughter relationship was cemented by this hour-long 'baby sitting' experience. For the remainder of her diaper wearing days, if Daddy was home, no one else took care of that bonding experience. They are a tightly bound pair to this day, with more that a few activities that are theirs and theirs alone. I am a blessed wife and mother!

Oh how l love to be loved and to love, the question is what is love HaShem has the perfect love. I struggle with love sometimes when we are loved so much as to get spoiled. The bible says do not spare the Rod, l guess there is time for love as long as the results are positive, we give because we love but the extent of love depends on reciprocate so we assume. On the other hand the love taught by HaShem is one way as discipline for Him is love and giving but to us is hate and leads to withdrawal and fear. How do we understand giving in love HaShem way—l believe His continued being with us regardless of our stupidity. Little children look stupid but due to their level of knowledge but in our case in a spiritual way. Interesting story.

Giving does indeed inspire love in the giver, however, the manner of the recipient is important also. The giving must find a welcome, that is, the recipient must let the giver know that he/she welcomes and appreciates getting. (A smile helps.) If the giving is taken for granted or yet more abusive, is accepted with grumblings, complaints and outright insults, the incipient love will be driven away. (And it helps if the partners take turns in the giving and taking, rather than one side all give and the other all get.)

A very sweet story about love. I was really amused by this, because so often men really have "no idea" what we women do, all the time, when it comes to being primary caretakers. Of course many men do participate too, but I think, this must have also given him a deeper appreciation for the JOB it is of raising a child. As for love, YES. Which comes first? It does remind me of The Little Prince, by Antoine de Saint Exupery. Once you commit to love, then something does change in the equation that totally enhances your life!

Live, live, always live!

I love it very much I think that this is true!!