The ARDS Foundation - Body, Mind, & Spirit

By Pastor Ian

LOVE IS…

Doing a search on the net for the words ‘ARDS’ is not something that we would wish on anyone. Yet every week it is happening all over the world as loved ones receive this diagnosis. Sometime in the future, thanks to the dedication of a number of committed people from all walks of life, the battle will be won and ARDS can and will be stopped in its tracks. So for now, I offer you these thoughts on something that we find in abundance, even in the darkest times.

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In the days before fully automatic telephone exchanges, a salesman called his wife from a coin operated phone in a distant city, finished the conversation, said goodbye, and replaced the receiver. As he was walking away the phone rang. He went back and answered it, expecting to be informed of extra charges, but the operator said, “I thought you’d like to know… just after you hung up, your wife said, I love you.”

A few days ago I received a rather unique birthday card. It is the smallest card I have ever had, measuring 3” x 2” and yet, for all its size, it is overflowing with love and brought tears to my eyes. I keep it in my breast pocket, near to my heart. I want to share with you its brief message.

It says…

Dad,

When I was a little girl,

you were the hero who rescued me

from monsters under the bed,

the fairy-tale prince

who let me dance on his feet,

and the first to steal my heart.

Is it any wonder that I love you so much

and I always will.

Love, ***** xx

I love you too my daughter, and I ask you to remember this –

Love is many things. Love is in a name I trust. It is a smile across a crowded room; A friendly phone call when I am stressed; The touch of a hand on a shoulder; A stolen hug at the gates to the school playground hoping that friends won’t see; an e-mail with a message of support.

Love is that special look you give me when I know you cannot express your thoughts in words. Love is sitting at the side of the bed holding a hand and wishing we could make it all better. Love is hoping that the worst is over and the tests will start to show signs of improvement. Love is the prayer that I silently say, “Lord this is my prayer. In your love please answer with healing.” Love is my God and your God who gives comfort and understanding when bad things happen to good people. Love is a brother who travels across an ocean to say, “I love you,” and fix a blocked ‘U’ bend while he is here. Love is a secret friend who sends you a card saying ‘thanks.’ Love is so many things and cannot be bought or even earned. It can only be given away, unconditionally.

The little girl who saw me as her hero; the little girl who, with a huge grin on her face, danced on my feet; who let me be the first to steal her heart…that ‘little’ girl now teaches the children in her grade 1 class about love, and especially how to love each other. She smiles when she tells me about the week just past, and recalls the love that a group of young people gave unconditionally to their special friend, a person called ‘Ms. ****.’

Love is in a card that lives in my breast pocket.