The Joy of Loving More

I look at this picture and I think that the hopes of my sister Adriene who passed in 2008, are going to come true. Her only daughter, Autumn, my niece, is one of the great joys of my life. We have always had a special relationship but it certainly grew during fairly difficult moments in our lives. These days, a senior at the University of Michigan, soon to graduate with a degree in psychology and a path through law school to change the world, Uncle's sweetie girl wants to spread her smart, pretty wings and not have Uncle so fixated on her every move because it's a 'pandemic, and you gotta be safe.

The truth is, Uncle knows that the world stands a chance of redemption because a marvelous light has shined on a beautiful young woman destined to change a world that needs more love.

That, the thought of that truth, brings me sheer joy. The kind that warms your heart first, and then your smile.

Those eyes say, "Uncle, I am, and we're going to be, just fine."

For the joy of it, and the faith in it, I believe her.

Lately, when I'm on social media, I scroll through what seems like endless, dismal news. Posts are almost like obituaries of the many that have fallen prey to the terrible grips of this deadly coronavirus, COVID-19. Some barely escape those death-trapping claws, almost always leaving a host of people pillage strewn along a path of prayers, faith, horror, shock and disbelief.

Imagine the sheer joy when I happened upon a post that a friend of mine shared on Facebook of Bill Mellix, a dapper older gentlemen that is celebrating his anniversary. He has dressed for the occasion to "bop" as he calls it; dance with his wife. Judging from his smile you get the impression that he is as he says "already in love with Judy, and we're gonna fall deeper..."

You never see Judy in the video. She has been in the hospital for 7 weeks but Bill is not going to let that him stop from dancing with her on their Anniversary. "Give me your hand," he says suavely as he connects a warm voice to an even warmer song "Are You Ready, Yes I'm Ready" a remake of an old Barbara Mason tune.

He keeps smiling and dancing. I was dancing and smiling too, and I'm not even in such a deep love.

Sometimes you happen upon the intimate details of someone's life and you never forget how that person's handle difficult moments inspires you to reflect on what really matters. Love really matters.

Are you Ready,yes I'm ready--yes, and I think that I now know how to bop.

You smile; you dance; you reach for the hand of the person you love, and even when they cannot reciprocate, you let the power of love fill in those tough spaces. You love more. Simply for the joy of it.

Thanks Bill.

It's been over two years since Love And Stuff begin. A Facebook community filled with people from all faiths; all backgrounds; all life stations all in pursuit of a deeper, richer more fulfilling love experience.

Love And Stuff didn't begin that way. It started as a series of conversations around the constitution! Whether or not a small provision called the "faithless electors" was worth pursuing if the populace didn't favor the decision of the electoral college.

Then seven women and seventeen men begin asking questions about those that were participating in the discussion. "Is she single, single?" "He's handsome--is he married?" What started out as issues of the voting choice became choice matters of the heart.

From love and marriage; sex and secrets; siblings and ex's to finances and health challenges; divorce and death; new love and the agape love there is no topic that cannot be discussed in this no judgement zone.

I love the perspectives; the opportunity to see yourself, and your own bias, through the lens of others.

When you come across Autumn's picture; Bill's dance or Love And Stuff you are easily reminded that there is great joy in loving more and the more that you love, the more you can up your love game.

#UpYourLoveGame