The ABCs of Life: L

Dear Michelle,

I tried to get creative with the letter "L", like I did with "J" and "K", but to no avail. 

I considered options like "Laughter," "Learning," and even "Llamas". But no matter how much I brainstormed, the obvious choice kept bringing me back to: Love. There’s nothing more important in life than love... even if llamas are adorable.

Love is the heart of a happy, fulfilling life. It’s the connection that brings purpose, joy, and meaning. Love isn’t always easy. It challenges us, stretches us, and sometimes puts us face-to-face with our flaws. Real love, the kind that lasts, takes effort, patience, and understanding. No shortcuts allowed, unfortunately.

There are so many kinds of love. Love isn't just sweet words or grand gestures (though those are nice). It’s about the everyday actions... sacrifices made, kindness given freely, and even those unglamorous moments, like staying up late to listen when someone needs an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. Love also shows up in simple ways: a hug, a warm smile, or just sitting beside someone in silence because your presence says everything they need to hear.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this: never assume people know you love them. Tell them. Say it often, and mean it every time. Life has a way of surprising us, and those three little words, "I love you", carry more power than we sometimes realize. They can heal wounds, build bridges, and make someone’s day brighter.

After my parents died, my brother and I went to live with an Aunt & Uncle, my Dad's brother and his wife. I have often said they knew more about discipline than love. I always felt they were taking care of us more out of obligation than love. Perhaps they did love me, but I never heard those words. It would have meant a lot to me, and our relationship could have been totally different after I had moved away.

But love isn’t just about what you say; it’s about what you do. Listening without interrupting, remembering someone’s favorite kind of cookie, forgiving even when it’s hard, or sharing a laugh over something silly. These are all ways to express love without saying a word.

And don’t forget, love isn’t always about people. Sometimes, it’s about doing the things that light YOU up inside. Whether it’s a walk, writing in your journal, or belting out your favorite song in the car. Doing what you love keeps your spirit uplifted and inspired. And, it makes you a lot more fun to be around!

The other thing to remember is you don’t have to love everyone. I know that might sound harsh, but not everyone who crosses your path will bring positivity or joy into your life. And that’s okay. It’s important, even healthy, to keep toxic people at arm’s length. You can still be kind, but protecting your peace and well-being is a form of self-love, and believe me, there’s no guilt in that. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is wish someone well from a distance while keeping your own happiness intact. However, you can love everyone as a child of God, but not as a part of your life. Everyone is fighting their own battle. Let God handle them and their battle. Don't make it your battle, too.

Loving others doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself entirely. Sure, love often involves giving of yourself. Sometimes it is in big ways, like taking care of someone who needs you, like your Grandpa Max needed me. But here’s an important thing to remember: don’t sacrifice yourself to the point of running on empty or making yourself sick. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Ask for help when you need it, and lean on those who care about you. Boundaries are a gift to yourself and to others. They allow you to give your best without burning out.

And above all, remember this: love starts with you for you. When you love and accept yourself for who you are, you’re better able to give and receive love in all its forms. Self-love isn’t selfish; it’s the foundation for everything else. Plus, it’s a lot harder for the world to knock you down when you’re already standing tall in your own skin.

So, go out there and share your love, whether it’s with the people you care about, the things you’re passionate about, or the life you’re working toward. Don’t be afraid to let your heart show, even when it feels vulnerable.

I love you, Michelle, and you have a lot of other people who love you too.  I hope this letter reminds you of just how powerful, transformative, and downright wonderful love can be. 

I'll close with this scripture:  1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

By the way: Did you know Llamas are herd animals and thrive in groups, showing us the value of community and teamwork? They look out for each other and even act as guardians for smaller livestock. So, you see, we can learn a lot from Llamas, too.

These letters are being physically mailed to my granddaughter, Michelle, every two weeks. For you AR members who might have missed the first 8 letters in this series, here they are:

The ABCs of Life: A 
The ABCs of Life: B  
The ABCs of Life: C  
The ABCs of Life: D 
The ABCs of Life: E  
The ABCs of Life: F
The ABCs of Life: G 
The ABCs of Life: H  
The ABCs of Life: I
The ABCs of Life: J
The ABCs of Life: K