Love
Sis and I
Earlier this year, some dear friends of mine welcomed their first child into the world. They are a warm and thoughtful couple, and I have no doubt they will be incredible parents. A few weeks ago, we met for lunch, and they brought their baby along. At one point, they asked if I would like to hold her.
Truthfully, I have always been nervous about holding infants. Questions race through my mind: Am I doing it right? What if she cries? What if I drop her? But despite the fear, I smiled and said, “Yes, I’d love to hold her.”
I sat down as the father gently placed his precious daughter in my arms. In that moment, something shifted, and I was instantly smitten. She rested quietly for a while, content and cradled in my arms. But soon, she began to squirm, and I found myself unsure of what she needed or how to comfort her. Feeling a bit helpless, I handed her back to her father.
What I witnessed next was powerful. The love her parents showed as they soothed her was palpable. They did not seem to second-guess or panic. They just knew what she needed. I asked them how they had learned what to do—how they managed to resolve issues when their child could not even speak yet. Their answer was simple and profound. They said:
“You just love them.”
That response stayed with me. Of course, love requires action—patience, sacrifice, and attentiveness. But what a beautiful foundation: just love them.
For days afterward, I reflected on that idea. What would the world look like if we approached conflict, disagreement, and hardship—not with weapons, gossip, or grudges—but with love? What if we led with empathy, respect, and intentional care instead of anger or judgment?
The Power of Love Across All Relationships
Love has a transformative impact at every level of human connection, personal, family, societal, and even global. It is more than a feeling; it is a decision to treat others with dignity, even when it is inconvenient or undeserved. Here is why love in action matters:
It Affirms Our Shared Humanity
No matter our differences—race, religion, culture—we all crave to be seen, valued, and treated with respect. Love acknowledges that common thread.You Never Know What Someone Is Going Through
A kind word, a smile, or a small gesture may be the light someone needs on a dark day. Many carry silent burdens, and love can be a quiet, healing force.It Creates Ripple Effects
Love is contagious. One loving action can inspire another, sparking a chain of kindness that travels farther than we imagine.It Breaks Down Barriers
Love challenges fear, prejudice, and division. It builds bridges in place of walls, opening the door to peace and understanding.It Reflects Strength, Not Weakness
To love when there is no obligation requires courage. It reveals maturity, integrity, and emotional strength.It Makes the World Better—for Everyone
When love becomes our way of life, relationships become healthier, communities stronger, and the world more compassionate.
We do not show love to strangers because they have earned it. We do it because it reflects who we are—and who we aspire to be. Love is most powerful when it has been given freely, even to those we do not know.
Love in Personal and Family Life
In personal relationships, love is the glue that holds people together. It builds trust, promotes emotional well-being, and creates space for forgiveness, growth, and connection. It is not a passive emotion, it is an active choice to show up, care deeply, and keep choosing each other even through difficulty.
Nowhere is that more evident than in the love of a parent. Parental love is foundational. It teaches a child their worth, gives them emotional security, and shapes how they relate to the world. It is expressed through presence, protection, guidance, and grace—and it can change the trajectory of a life.
My sister and I are forever grateful for the love in action our parents gave us. Their steady care is a lasting gift, one that still influences how I show love today.
Remember that sometimes, the answer to life’s biggest questions is the simplest one:
Just love them -
Take care of yourself—and each other.
