Children on the Meaning of Love

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4 to 8 year-olds, “What does love mean?”

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.”  (Rebecca- age 8)

“When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.  You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” (Billy – age 4)

“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” (Terri – age 4)

“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.” (Bobby – age 7)

“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate.” (Nikka – age 6)

“When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.” (Karen – age 7)

And the final one — Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge.  The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.  The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife.  Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there.

When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry”

Mr Peter Morphew
Chaplain