IN LOVE

“I’ve looked at love from both sides now. From give and take, and still somehow, it’s love’s illusions that I recall. I really don’t know love at all.”

Joni, Joni, Joni. 1967. Twenty-four years old writing a song about Love. Of course, she didn’t know love at all. Who does at 24? Who does at 34? In fact, I will go as far as to say, some never do.

I got married at 23. You might think that was young, but it was old to me. I thought I had reached the pearly gates of heaven, standing at the altar, gazing at THE hottest angel out there! (Thank God he showed up!) Ahhhh. "Love. Love. Love." (Another great song!)

But Joni had it right, with all the give and take you can muster up for someone, it’s still not enough. There is always that moment. You know, the one that makes you realize how fragile you are. Maybe crazy at times. (surely not me. Lol) Mad and angry that the one you thought loved you, doesn’t make you feel loved. It’s a moment. A hell of a moment. Makes you question do I really know love at all?

Understanding (love) backwards, I do. But to tell anyone how I got there would be a Netflix original - drama, scandal, comedy, your basic romance thriller. And I’m ok with that. Trailer synopsis: Love is not the problem. Life is.

Life challenges LOVE… tries to break it down, even destroy it, if possible, but it can’t. That's the truth. Love never fails, even in death, there is Love. I see the cross, and I see Love. You may be feeling uncomfortable with that thought because there is hurt and pain involved, but looking at both sides now, the hurt and pain is our proof that we are worth it.

God loved us so much that even in our selfish, mixed up, angry hate-filled minds, He died to be here with us. Stay with us. Never to leave.

In Love.

Bless. Momma Bear

*From Both Sides Now” Joni Mitchell

© June 19, 1967; Gandalf Publishing Co.