One-sided though it may seem, giving is a gift in itself: a package (willingly) cherished by all parties involved. Perfect for the holiday season, dont'cha think?It came up last night, while wistfully discussing love and life among friends and drinks. A friend of mine related his unconditional feelings for a certain other, and went on to say that he did everything for this someone, in spite of friendly warnings.
His confession met puzzled looks, and shortly plenty of admonishment. The consensus: there really is such a thing as giving too much, just like there really is such a thing as someone asking too much.
They were right. You ~can~ give too much, so much it hurts. But one thing about life is that the best things are never free. And, at the risk of sounding a wee bit masochistic, nothing makes you appreciate something more than hurting a little bit on the way there.
And, after all, isn't this the stuff of true romance? Of Romeo's death, of Mother Teresa's spirit, of Peter Petrelli's sacrifice? That pain, borne willingly -- isn't that the ultimate proof of love?
My take is simple. Once I find that special someone, I'll give it my all.
So that at the end of a long day, in bed wearily resting the aches and pains of a hard day's work, I'll close my eyes and find myself secretly smiling in the few moments before my dreams take me. A smile borne by the thought that beside me is the reason for all my tireless persistence. In this person lies the reason I live, and I'm the luckiest man on earth for it.
