The other day I received a touching email from my sister about “What love means to age 4-8 year old children”.
A group of professionals asked kids “What does love mean?” It really moved me to read some of the responses; things like:
‘When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.’ Rebecca – age 8
‘When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.’ Billy – age 4
‘Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.’ Terri – age 4
‘Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.’ Bobby – age 7
‘If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.’ Nikka – age 6
‘Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.’ Tommy – age 6
‘During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore.’ Cindy – age 8
‘When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.’ Karen – age 7
‘You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot People forget.’ Jessica – age 8
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Wow, I truly marveled at what these kids came out with. What wisdom. What insight. What pure trust and belief in the world, themselves and what is around them!
They thought about what it meant, and then they expressed what they felt and saw from the heart.
This brings to me the thought. What would happen if you loved like a child?
I invite you to lie down in some grass (or somewhere else of your choosing), squelch your toes, stretch, close your eyes, and deeply inhale that question.
Truly envision that question enveloping your whole being. Then let your definition float away, open your arms wide to your sides, and allow the peace and wisdom you have discovered to wash over you.
What does your future life look like when you surrender to the love of life, as envisioned by your inner child?
