Wind whipping through my long blonde hair, legs pumping, bell ring-a-dinging, that's how I spent mother's day in DC. It turns out not only do I miss driving, but BIKING. Thanks to Jensen and his brilliant idea to rent bikes, this has become my new Favorite thing to do in DC. And it is so Easy to do!! All three of us rode around the tidal basin, watched the planes fly over us into Reagan airport, and whooped war cries as we sped through tunnels.
The Only thing that could make today better is, you guessed it, my incredible family. After this weekend we can replace cracker jack girl scout with fearless hypothermic survivor on mom's list of amazing accomplishments. WAY TO GO MOM!! The first highlight was talking to Pete, it didn't really hit me until when we said goodbye and he said this was the last time he'd talk to us until he gets home. Cue the tears. (JOYful tears, obviously) The second highlight was being on the phone with both Splash And my mom, two generations of mothers.
This week was learning all about love. When the sun is shining I love to blast bob marley and daydream that I'm on a beach, instead of on my way to work. Is this love has been stuck in my head allllll day e'rry day mon. (Jamaican accent ya dig?) I love reading cool articles and a Huge thanks to all the people that sent me interesting articles this week And gave feedback to me!! One hit me in particular, from AnaLee, called What Is Love. It featured in the Huffington Post, and talked about what love Really is. Two things jumped out at me. For one thing, love is a choice. Grandpa Glenn summed it up best by giving the analogy of Christ's love for us:
He loves us today and he will love us through the eternities to come. How does he do this? He does this by choosing to love us. Love at its roots is a choice, a decision. He chooses to see in us those things that endear us to him. He knows who we really are and he loves who we really are. I am sure that he also feels great love for us. But ultimately, love is a choice. There must be reason to commitment and to love. He said, ". . . as I have loved you, love one another." I feel very loved to have such a wonderful person as Grandpa Glenn in my life, who offers up such great wisdom.
The second thing the article mentioned was that love, is tolerance. My brother Bryan is talented in ways I could never hope to be. He's athletically gifted, can play pretty much any instrument and his balance and coordination is off the charts. I learned that trying to follow in his athletic footsteps would result in my broken arm, twice. Beyond that, he's taught me a bit more.
A few weeks ago we got in a heated argument. I was being extra bossy, and he was trying to take it in stride. At one point he'd had enough and told me that if I was his friend speaking to him like this would be absolutely unacceptable. Or really he would just call me insane and never talk to me again. But since I'm his sister and have helped him out a bunch he's just gonna keep his day moving... Granted, it wasn't exactly a compliment but to me it felt like a HUGE one. I had pushed him a bit too far and he had shown me tolerance, and more importantly, Commitment to tolerance. The author of the Love article said that in essence, this is what's wrong with our society. We abandon relationships with each other and those we love because they make us unhappy and why should we stick with them when it gets hard?
"Real love often occurs in a context in which the feeling of love is lacking, when we act lovingly despite the fact that we don't feel loving." Exactly what Bryan was showing me, love and tolerance. This of course, warranted a heartfelt apology from me, but I haven't forgotten that lesson he taught me.
"We are taught that it is good not to compromise, not to put up with anything we don't like, not to sacrifice our own beliefs for anyone or anything. Yet compromise and sacrifice are the cornerstones of marital love." I'd never be where I am today if it weren't for the enormous sacrifices of both parents. The time and energy my mom has put into making Other people happy, instead of focusing on herself, could qualify her for sainthood. There has never been a time when she hasn't put 200 percent into her job as a mother, though I know I've definitely given less than that at my own job. To straddle the dual roles of mother And best friend is a feat I would have thought impossible, if it weren't for the relationships she has with each of her four kids.
I think as a child you sometimes forget that your parents make the choice to love you and sacrifice for you every day, that it's not as obligational as it appears. But by doing so they show you that Real, deep, meaningful love can exist, made through tolerance, sacrifice, commitment and above all, choice. Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, grandmothers, and as Splash reminded me, one day future mothers.
Love,
Lolo
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