Love. By the dictionary definition it means, "strong affection", "warm attachment", and "attraction based on sexual desire". That's a pretty broad definition! It would seem it is we, the ones actually feeling any of, or more of, these definitions, that determine the kind of love any given situation is tagged. It gets tossed about as a false greeting, such as "Loves!", as a person leaves another, with which they were chatting. For me, that is the most insincere way to use a word with such a strong reputation. There is, of course, the casual use, as in, "Oh, I just love this jacket!". I think most people are guilty of this careless overuse. After all, if you look at the official definition, you must ask yourself, do I have a strong affection for this jacket? Do I have a warm attachment? And, I must hope, that you do not have a strong sexual desire for the jacket, although I did see show that showcased a man in love with his car. I mean the "attraction based on sexual desire" kind. For real.
The thing about love, I believe, is that their are many kinds. I do not love my son the same way I love my sister. I didn't love my Grandma the way I loved my Mom. I have several male best friends that I love very much. But, not the way a married couple love. I love my sweet Doxie, but not the way I love the gals that have stood by me through my tears, and celebrated my successes. So, it's no wonder the word has seemed to have lost its "oomph."
In fact, it is referred to, mostly by the male population as "the L word". As if it were as horrid a thing as "the F word". If one would look at it as having different levels, perhaps it wouldn't seem such a feared description of one's relationship with another.
If I were to go purely by Mr. Webster, I would have to count myself among the luckiest persons in the world! I certainly have a strong affection for many people, and, without doubt have a warm attachment to a host of folks--some, I've never met, but through social networking have become "as family". The third definition I listed is, for me, saved for a select few in my world. Although, in my twenties I had no clue as to the definition of love at all, and mistook acknowledgement as love. Love, at that time, based on how well I performed my list of tasks for the day. Unconditional love didn't come into my life until I became extremely close to a family of 2nd and 3rd cousins, who almost rejoiced when I walked in the door. For no other reason than I had walked in the door! What a feeling that was!
I have unconditional love for my son, my Gabby, and the friends and family described above.
You have to hurt me terribly to lose my trust. Even worse to lose my love. That may not be healthy, or work out so well on my end, but for the person receiving my love, well, I hope they understand that a piece of me goes with it.
I have raised my son to recognize that there are many kinds of love. I've educated some young people I've met via Facebook, on the many kinds of love, and that saying "I love you" doesn't just mean the "I do" kind of love. As a result, I was privileged to be told by my Asperger's/Autistic, Brandon, (their brother) "I love you." Something any person that deals with those disorders, knows does not come easily, if at all. To me "love" is to be felt without walls, or conditions. If you feel love for someone, in whatever form it is, tell them. Tell. Them.
Someday, that person will not be there, and will, perhaps, pass through this life not knowing that you did feel a "warm attachment"to them. Could you live with that? As for me, if I love you, prepare to hear it, and feel it. No apologies. Ever.
