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Love Is Killing A Spider In The Shower

19 February 2010 9 Comments

Love means more than just being in love.

Although, romantic love is the most talked about, sought after, and theatrically portrayed form of love, it is not the only one. There is love among family, friends, and neighbors that is just as strong and powerful. Love is precious and priceless, and should never be taken for granted. It means many things to many people, but these are some of the things that love means to me.

Love is being happy for your best friend when she gets the guy you wanted, and drying her tears when he breaks her heart.

Love is holding your roommates’ hair as her stomach rebels from a night of drinking.

Love is a text message, letter, or e-mail to remind your friends that you care.

Love is being there for someone in their darkest hour.

Love is putting the happiness of others before your own.

Love is letting people in, and realizing that sometimes you have to shut them out.

Love is leaving your whole life behind without complaining, because you know your dad needs a fresh start.

Love is killing a spider in the shower.

Photo Credit: Getty Images – Michael Blann

Love is driving five hours each way, sometimes through the snow.

Love is forgiveness.

Love is a kiss, or a hug, or a look of admiration.

Love is beautiful and ugly, hot and cold, comforting and frightening, often all at the same time.

Love is taking care of someone in their final days, even if they don’t remember who you are.

Love is someone who makes you smile.

Love is swallowing your fear or your pride when others need you to be strong for them.

Love is compromise and sacrifice.

Love is letting someone go, or giving them another chance.

Love is peace and coexistence.

Love is standing up for what you believe in, speaking out against persecution of your fellow man.

Love is appreciation and gratitude.

Love is enjoying time to yourself just as much, if not more, than time with others.

Even if you’re not, nor ever have been, in love, does not mean you have never experienced it. Just look into the eyes of a parent as they watch their child and you will see love. You can see it in the smiles (and tears) on the faces of longtime friends as they stand up at each other’s weddings. The dog owner who pays thousands of dollars for cancer treatments, that too is love.

Love is all around us.

All You Need Blogger: Sam Karol

Sam is a twenty-something working in Marketing at online ad network, CPX Interactive. She blogs about her life adventures at Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates, and tweets as @sameve. Sam loves writing, football, ice cream, fashion, reading…and meeting new people, so be sure to stop by and say hi!

Song: Shower The People – James Taylor

Did you know I have a private newsletter that goes out ONLY to subscribers? It offers stories of travel adventures, writing brilliance, links to great content around the internet and other crazy shaningans.


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  • http://twentyorsomething.com Susan Pogorzelski

    “Love is taking care of someone in their final days, even if they don’t remember who you are.”

    This made me cry. Because I remember what it was like visiting my grandma, remember holding her hand, and I remember her talking to me as if I was her daughter or one of her sisters. I remember watching my mom hold back tears as we left the nursing home; I remember thinking that I couldn’t even imagine the pain she must feel that her own mother doesn’t remember her. But then, I remember the peace and love that filled the room at my grandmother’s funeral, and I remember the smile on her face, there even in passing.

    Love was there…in every corner of the room, tucked into the spaces of our hearts, through every part of it. And it’s there still.

    You’re so right, Sam. Love is so much more than romantic love. Love lingers in every single situation you name and still in so much more. Great post — it’s a great reminder.

    • http://www.lifeschocolates.com Sam Karol

      Susan: I can totally relate. As you know, the last time I saw my grandma, she didn’t remember who I was. Her funeral was sad, but there was also a sense of relief as well because it meant an end to her suffering. When she died, she wasn’t herself anymore, so that made it easier in a way. Even though neither of our grandmothers remembered it, they had love for us in their hearts, just as we will always have for them.
      .-= Sam Karol´s last blog ..Today, I Am Grateful For… =-.

  • http://www.lostincheeseland.com Lindsey

    If love was purely romantic, everyone would be happy all the time. But it’s not. In fact, it’s usually not. I really identified with your statement that love is about giving second chances – or millions of chances. When you know someone you love has the potential to do and be so much more, you give them multiple chances even though you know, somewhere in your heart, that you shouldn’t. I’ve done that with an ex boyfriend (although it turns out it wasn’t really love, but that’s another story) and I did that with my husband. Luckily I did.

    great post!
    .-= Lindsey´s last blog ..Suga Suga! Cooking up something sweet… =-.

    • http://www.lifeschocolates.com Sam Karol

      Lindsey: Love is definitely about forgiveness, and that applies to friend love and family love too. It’s difficult because our heart is what convinces us to give second chances, but it’s also our heart that reminds us to be careful. Second chances sometimes end up undeserved, like with your ex-boyfriend, but they’re also worth the risk, like with your husband. Just one of life’s challenges! Thanks for your comment!
      .-= Sam Karol´s last blog ..Today, I Am Grateful For… =-.

  • http://www.strawberryghetto.blogspot.com Mehnaz

    I love this. One of my favourites by far!
    And yes, love is being there through someone’s happinesses. And someone’s sadnesses.

    And giving the chances that need to be given.
    But love is also knowing when to walk away. If you love yourself, you’ll know what’s good.

    Great post Sam! And as always, Elisa, fab pick of the day!
    .-= Mehnaz´s last blog ..Olympicking Part 1 =-.

    • http://www.lifeschocolates.com Sam Karol

      Mehnaz: Thanks! I’m glad you liked it! It’s interesting to see which things spoke to you. You make a good point. Like Grace’s post said the other day, loving yourself is quite possibly the most important love of all.
      .-= Sam Karol´s last blog ..Today, I Am Grateful For… =-.

  • http://saberablogs.blogspot.com Sabera

    My eyes are welling up as I type this. Wow. You said it Sam!

  • http://25andtrying.com Beth

    Sigh. you make me happy Miss Sam. Mostly with the killing spider one, cause its true. I 100% love the fact that you can embrace love for what it is in all of its different forms. That is something many people forget. In the romanticizing of the world, we forget that love can be anything and everything, and that is what I love about this post. You love very completely, and love your friends the way you love everyone else important in your life. And it’s inspirational.
    .-= Beth´s last blog ..Linchpins, Anyone? =-.