For This is Life

"Now listen, it takes an education to build a reputation.. Not gonna stop this feeling, living on a feeling.."
~Chris Rene

The past couple of weeks, I have truly learned the importance of love, support, and life. I have seen through the life of an older man the true definition of love. It's not the petty, addicting lyrics of Taylor Swift of her 14th ex-boyfriend. It's not through the glamorous movie portrayal from Hollywood. It's not even the so called Happily Ever After as told by fairy tales and Disney. The story of love is more like happily forever in one moment. It doesn't happen ever after. For the journey to love is only 25% of the story. 75% of the story is what really occurs after happily ever after. I see love not just through the eyes of a person but in the actions of a person. This is more than chocolate hearts, diamond rings, and kisses. It's something more that is greater than yourself. It's understanding. It's acceptance. It's a promise to one another that when the skies seems gray, they are the sun and the stars. It's not forcing someone to change but allowing them to be who they are mentally, socially, physically, and culturally. Whether it's a love between two or a love between friends or even enemies. Love overcomes. It's a gift from God that spreads like a virus infecting everybody. And may it spread rampant like bees. May love buzz through the cold-hearted, the lost, the lonely. May they find support. May they be surrounded with warmth, smiles, happiness, and passionate compassion soon. May they be lost only to be found. May the infectious disease of love catch you and may you spread it to others until you have completed your purpose on this Earth. Keep your love ones close. For this is life, as I learned from a wise man to live to love and love to live. 

~In honor of Mr. Earl Bates