Love? The American Heritage Dictionary

¶ … Love?

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines love as "A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness." It also says love is, "A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance." I believe love is many diverse things. I love my dog, I love my mother, and I love my best friend, but I love them in very different ways. Love is different for each person, too. Another person might not feel the same feelings that I do when I say I love someone. They might have a totally different idea about how they show love, too. Some people like to hug and touch people they love, while others don't. I think that is what makes love such an unusual experience; it is different for each person.

Love is also two-sided. It can create, and it can destroy. The love between two people can ultimately create life if they are "in love." Love can create a bond between parent and child that can never be broken, no matter what happens. It can create joy and happiness in the person who loves, and in the person who is loved. Love can create many things, from affection and caring, to an understanding of other people and their needs and wants. I think love creates more tolerance in people, and more awareness. For example, I love my mother, and that gives me a deeper understanding of her and her needs and wants. Sometimes, I get mad at her and we fight, but that doesn't mean I don't love her. I love my dog, but not in the same way. I love my dog because he depends on me, and I know he loves me back. He shows it by the way he looks at me, wags is tail when he sees me, and runs to meet me at the door when I come home. I think I am more understanding of animals and their dependence on us because of the love I have for my pet.

So, love can create good feelings, a deeper awareness of others, and more tolerance in how you deal with others. For example, I love my best friend like a brother. We are always together it seems, and I understand his moods and his needs. I accept him for what he is, good and bad, because I care about him. I think that we tend to be critical of other people, but when we care about them, we get less critical and more accepting. Love makes us more easygoing, I guess.

Love can create many things, it is true, but love can also destroy. Too much overpowering love from a parent or loved one can create a feeling of hopelessness in a person, and it can destroy the love you feel for that person. Romantic love that dies can destroy the trust and love you had for a person, and can break your heart. If you love someone too much, that can destroy you too, because you start to live your life for someone else, rather than yourself, and it can destroy your dreams and your self-worth. When you love someone, and let them know it, and they reject your love, it hurts. It can destroy any good feelings you have about yourself, and make you feel sad and depressed.