Everyone who reads this editorial column week after week is well aware of the fact that I love using stories and anecdotes to express my feelings. So when we decided to ask our readers to submit stories about how they met the “love of their life”, I looked forward to discovering the “real-life” side of love that has touched the lives of “real people in our community”. The stories we received were amazing and truly heart-warming. We hope you enjoy reading the ones we have room to publish.

Love is a very difficult subject about which to write. It affects each of us in different ways at different times, yet it is a feeling, which is unmistakable when it comes to us. And scientific studies have shown that real, sincere love is as vital to human life as food, clothing and shelter.

My wife has always loved birds and animals. Besides dozens of bird feeders and houses outside, she once had over 26 birds in cages throughout the house, and among those were two lovebirds. So, when I read a little article on the internet written by a person named Vickie Lynne Agee, called ‘Life Lessons From Lovebirds’, I could definitely identify with what she wrote.

Vickie said that she and her husband were walking through a mall one day and stopped to look around the pet store. They came upon a pair of peach-faced lovebirds, which looked like they were truly “in love”. Vickie’s thoughts drifted back to the lovebirds during the next several days and to her surprise, one night after work her husband returned home clutching an elegant birdcage that housed those two precious creatures. The birds reminded them of a simpler day when love and togetherness between couples was not only a commitment, but a way of life.

Vickie and her husband have watched those lovebirds for some time and made the following observations about life and love, which, I am sure you will find, apply not only to birds, but to men and women as well.

1. If you spend too much time looking in the mirror, it’s easy to lose your balance.

2. Always keep a pleasant look on your face, even if your cage needs cleaning.

3. If your mate wants to share your perch with you, move over.

4. The real treats in life usually come only after you’ve cracked a few hulls.

5. It takes two to snuggle.

6. Sometimes your mate can see mites you didn’t even know you had.

7. Singing draws more affection than squawking.

8. It is only when your feathers get ruffled that your true colours really show.

9. Too many toys can be distracting.

10. When you have love in your heart, everyone around you will find joy in your presence.

The stories you will read elsewhere in this issue of The Vision will touch your heart. They are from real people who experienced real love and are living their lives with the confidence that comes from knowing that someone truly loves them in return. We all have our own stories about love. Some are joyful and some are painful. But we all have to admit that it is love, which makes it all worthwhile. The kind of love I of which I am referring was witnessed by the volunteers and doctors at a large hospital who were looking after a little girl named Liz, who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. They discovered that her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. He hesitated only for a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it if it will save her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in the bed next to his sister and smiled as he saw the colour returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?” Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor. He thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.

That 5-year old boy didn’t have to read all kinds of books and watch all kinds of documentaries to understand what true love was. The love he had for his sister was so great that he was willing to give up his own life to save hers. This is what true love is all about. When you feel this way about someone, you know you are in love, and you know you are one of the richest persons in the world.

I hope you enjoy the stories of love you will read in this issue. I also hope they remind you once again of your own stories and perhaps rekindle the flames of love from within.