“Showing up is a holy practice.”
These words came from Rabbi Sharon Brous, by way of a NYT article a couple of weeks ago. She reflects on a Jewish text, the Mishnah, part of the Talmud that guides the potential interpretation of Jewish law into Jewish practice. In this case, how we are called to be “other” – to step outside of ourselves and not only see the struggles others are experiencing, but to pause, to engage with, to offer – if nothing else, acknowledgement, that their pain is noticed.
This is what it means to be a community. A family. This is love in action.
Life is busy. We are busy. We have our schedules, our jobs, our own sad stories. We have our tribes, our circles, our people with whom we cry and celebrate. And it does begin there. In fact, it must begin there. The Gospels remind us: Love one another. But not just the easy ones. Even the tough ones. The ones we don’t like. The ones whose politics grate on us. The ones who perpetrate harm.
I was raised in a family where we learned, what affected one of us affects all of us. And as a parent, I was saved by the empathetic ears and arms of sisters who walked the talk, showing up with the mere acknowledgement that raising kids is hard. That losing a job is hard. That losing a husband is hard. Sharing our pain.
Do unto others…
The Golden Rule is found across faith traditions the world over. St. Ignatius, among others, is known for his insistence that love is shown in deeds.
I’ve never been much for Hallmark holidays. Give me a daily kindness as opposed to something once a year. So as we roll into Valentines’ season, I am ever-grateful for the simple, small ways Love shows up in my life.
Love is…
…not just making the bed, but vacuuming the dog hair off the comforter.
Checking my pockets for that new tube of chapstick before you do my laundry
–and not only doing the laundry, but separating the clean stuff into piles.
Sitting through one episode of Shrinking, even though you have no interest in it.
Dashing to pick up a prescription before the pharmacy closes in five minutes – and oh, by the way, can you grab some ricotta and more jam?
Walking the dog so I can write, because despite my crazy love for this oaf (the dog), two hours of personal space feels like freedom.
Leaving me to talk and talk and talk to my sisters on the phone, even when you have a question.
Eating leftovers – again- because my brainspace can’t cook tonight.
Driving me two hours out into the desert to drown in spring…
holding me as I sob, when my tough-girl muster unmusters.
None of this is romantic or poetic or easily gift wrapped – but it’s real and it’s everyday love.
Love is showing up.
Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
Patricia, your post is just what I needed to read. Love is the small everyday love actions. I read your poem to my husband and thanked him for some of his everyday happenings that I often take for granted. I am rushing off to my daughter’s now that the baby is very ill and she has to be at the office today. Love is dropping everything to help out. I don’t see your link up so I will leave my link here. https://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2024/02/love-isspiritual-journey-thursday.html Thank you for hosting with such a powerful message.
Yes, Carol – you are living Love is as we type. I hope the baby is recovering!
Patricia, thank you for hosting today and for this wonderful description of love as it shows up in daily life. Yes, love shows up in the daily bits, and a reminder to appreciate them is always welcome. My post today is about reverie and song.
Reverie and song…fruits of the gifts of showing up for someone.
This is beautiful Patti. It is so comforting to be at this point in life.♥️
Keeps getting better, doesn’t it?
Patricia, your words warm my heart.
Aw, thank you Joyce.
Your list poem is accessible and relatable. You must have a long marriage. My husband and I have been married 41 years and this past year was one of the toughest of all. I am especially drawn to the end. How many times I turned to him to hold me up when my tough girl muster unmustered. Thanks for hosting. I can’t get my link in because I’m on my school computer. (Blocks…) I’ll link it here: https://reflectionsontheteche.com/2024/02/01/spiritual-journey-love-is/
Yes, we will celebrate 41 in May. I think a long marriage is a good way to explain that you find love in the small things, the hard things, the messy things. I imagine you had a rock to lean on this past year.
Patricia, what a beautiful tribute to what love is. It is the small things we do for others and others do for us that are so meaningful. Love is real and comes from the heart. Love is quiet but rocks our world. Thank you for hosting this month’s journey.
Love that, Bob “Love is quiet but rocks our world.”
Patricia, love your examples of love is..! And the essay you shared was a treasure and inspired my writing. Thanks for hosting.
Thank you, Ramona. The experience is MUTUAL!
Patricia, thank you for this topic and the reminder to look for the small moments of love. It is spot and on resonates with me so much.
Amen and amen. Yes, showing up. The little moments…they add up and become a foundation. I’m so thankful for them in my life. Love how you turned so many into a poetic rendering.
So great – yes, love is all those things!