Beneath the Wraps

Which is greater, love of one ’ s parents, one ’ s children, one ’ s spouse, or one ’ s friend? Love comes in various sizes and definitions.   Unfortunately we do not all define love the same way when it comes to relationships.   My initial response was the parents ’ love toward their children but I know for a fact that not all “ parents ” feel the same way about their children that they would make the ultimate sacrifice for them – even if that means teaching them with “ tough love ” which is often harder on the parent than the child.   Some people may have children but have absolutely no parenting skills or feel positive emotions toward their children.   Some people don ’ t know how as they were never taught themselves.   That goes the same for spouses.   Some will make small sacrifices for the other – such as cleaning the floor or ironing their shirts – it ’ s a sacrifice when one person does it not because of obligation but out of respect and l...

             I loved my brother’s descriptions ( here ) of a couple who had lived in my mom’s ward for most of Corey’s life.   I had known the family who had lived in the house before them.   Lily Black and I were very close friends – until after she moved and we had lost touch.             I don’t know if I was still in high school when Howards moved into the house where Blacks had lived.   I don’t recall how many children they had as Blaine was the only one living at home.   He had an older brother who was serving a mission.   I met him for the first time when I was going to Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho.   He had come to drop something off.   I don’t even remember what.   I recognized him as I thought he looked so much like his dad.           I’m guessing that Bob and Irma were in their sixties when t...

Velveteen Rabbit has never really been my favorite story, but I do like this thought from it: "What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?" "Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real." "Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit. "Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt." "Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" "It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it does...