Our lives are made up of various relationships. Some are long-lasting, others are fleeting. But time is no measurement on the lasting impression or emotional connection that one has with another human in their life. I’ve known people for years and never felt anything, while I’ve loved people that I met just in a few short weeks. People say that love is a strong word, overused by most. But I think that people do not tell the people they love that they love them, nearly enough. 

Life is short. Life is sweet. It can also be sad and bitter at times. I think it is important to love. Not just the romantic kind of love. But the kind of love we give to the special people in our lives and in our hearts. Love is not always reciprocated. That is okay too. We don’t only love people who love us back. We love people even when they cannot love us in return – that is truly love. I personally have been lucky enough to love people who loved me back. I have also, many of times, loved people who could not or simply did not love me. But I didn’t love those people because I wanted them to love me back. I love them for everything they were. I love them for the things I saw in them that they did not see in themselves. I love them because they made me happy. They made me see things in myself that I did not see before I met them. But sometimes, like I said, relationships can be fleeting.

There is a quote by Uma Thurman – “I still love the people I’ve loved, even if I cross the street to avoid them.” These words resonated with me. How many times have you looked the other way or turned around when you saw someone who meant the world to you who suddenly feels like a stranger? I know I have. Such is life. We love the people we’ve loved, even if they are no longer a part of our lives. Some people are meant to be loved from a far. That is okay. That is life.

Make sure you tell the people you love that you love them. Some will love you back. Others may not. Both are okay. Both are blessings. 

Be thankful. Be loving. Be kind.