This morning I woke up before everyone else to get ready for work. I noticed the tv in the living room was on but muted. We have three tv clickers and I HATE them all. For years Sandor and Alex have tried to teach me how to turn the tv on and off, get to Netflix, watch a dvd but it’s just too much for me (Insert “Ok Boomer joke here).
On mornings when I actually want to watch the news I’ve had meltdowns simply trying to turn on the news.
So, most mornings Alex leaves the tv on for me, already on my news station. That’s love.
My parents Ann Stell and Irven fell in love in 3rd grade at Jones School. The Great Depression had the country on its’ knees. My mom’s father was a surgeon so they were still in pretty good shape financially. But my dad’s father was an architect. Nobody needs an architect in a depression. Times were fairly desperate for the McDaniel family.
Spoiled, Ann Stell knew she would always get everything on her Christmas list. So, for years she asked Santa for building materials, Erector Sets, Tinker Toys, slide rulers, drawing supplies and model airplanes. Then she would invite my dad over to play. As the story goes, he’d sit on the floor happily building while she sat on the couch reading.
Now, my daughter Mary does the same thing for her husband Andy. For weeks before Christmas she sends me links to things for Andy. Tools, sweaters, office supplies. Pride be damned. Mary wants Andy to have everything! That’s love.
Two years ago Alex spent too much money on some perfume that I absolutely hated. It smelled like granny perfume. But I lied. And every morning before I went to work, I stood in our dark bedroom, while Alex slept, and I squirted the perfume into the air…away from me. I wanted Alex to wake up, smell the perfume and think, “Oh Diana put on her perfume this morning.” I love him .
This year, I hope you are all loved, simply and honestly, by a friend, a child, a cousin or husband. And I hope you give your love freely, in return.