-DEFINITIONS: Love

By Janice T.

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Love is probably the word in the English language. people have several of their own definitions of love. musicians,

Poets, have

and novelists probably written more about this single word than any other subject. More often than not, the word, love, seems to be inadequate. So what does love mean?

Love has been defined as the bond that unites people together. Love can be shared, it seems, with anyone or even anything. Love is often the source of other emotions happy and sad. There are definitions of "perfect" love. Some definitions of love are limiting, intimidating, and exclusive. Love, it seems, has many dimensions, yet it is not easy measure. Most importantly, love must be given to oneself.

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Love can be found as a special bond that links two people together. It can be the basis of life-long commitment, gay or straight. It is the feeling a parent can have for child. Love can also be the result of a shared experience such as prejudice childhood, school, mutual lust, or war.

Love is not limited to people. We share our love with cats, dogs, and other

critters.

We

attachment to our homes. our jobs and our hobbies.

have an

We enjoy We relish

the gifts received as tokens of shared love.

Love often makes us feel warm and fuzzy-comfortable. It can be tingly and silly. It can be relaxing. It can diminish fear. Roberta, our cat, just pointed out that love can be demanding at times. (Bertie, go play in Auntie Ray's column!)

There are a few people who have experienced the "ravages" of love one form or another. How many times

in

one

has love been withheld because person isn't doing what their supposed to do -"I won't love you until you 'straighten up' your life." Love can be a weapon. It can, certainly, be a motivator.

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There are those who reserve love God's gift to them as if love is exclusively theirs. They cannot see the love in a gay relationship. They may even attempt to keep lovers apart. They forget about the other dimensions of love.

It you

the

Love is difficult to measure. is said that love grows. But can't use a ruler to recognize difference. Love for a kitten is certainly different from the love you share with a partner of twenty years.

One of the most important types of love is love for yourself. Some have said that "unless you love yourself, you cannot love anyone else." Perhaps this love demonstrates how much you value love. Love empowers us to be ourselves, to accept what we are and what we hope to become.

So what does the word love mean?

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ACCEPTING CONSIGNMENTS

335 In the

Kitchen with Auntie Ray

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The breasts were naked, pink, and sweat. glistened with Being of a delicate nature, I felt moved to cover them. Thus was the ten minute chicken cordon bleu.

2 boneless chicken breasts, skinned 2 slices of ham, cooked 2 slices of swiss cheese bread crumbs

Place the breasts in an ungreased baking dish that is microwave safe. Place the ham on top of the breasts, then the cheese. Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top of the breasts, then cover the dish with four plastic wrap and microwave for minutes. If the breasts are thick, an additional minute or two may he needed.

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