When Love Rises

When I was a child, I puzzled over romantic films in which love was fast and simplistic—a sexy kiss, a lonely yearning, a desire to identify with someone magnificent—something that occurred within two hours like a quick-spreading contagion. Perhaps those are acceptable introductions to intense emotions, but intense emotions are only moments on the 24-hour clock of life. Recently, I was reminded that the deepest, truest love is demonstrated when someone cares enough to be there when the being and doing don’t necessarily serve them. Love brings people together within nonprofit movements such as those happening in the United States and cements relationships such as Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter or my husband and me after our 49 years. When I fell last week and decommissioned my knee, my husband tended me without complaint and took over the tasks I normally handle without mentioning the inconvenience to him. His mere touch radiated caring and assisted my recovery. Remember “He Ain’t Heavy; He’s My Brother” (by the Hollies) or “We Are the World” (by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie)? That’s love.

Love isn’t always sweet and gentle. There is no stronger force. It creates true heroes who hardly notice what they’ve done is extraordinary because they’re focused on their goal. It lends resilience and endurance beyond normalcy. Love such as that between parent and child or two long-term lovers can transcend death.

As people begin standing up for one another, literally, we can feel the stirrings of a brighter nation than the one currently being advertised as ours. A few self-obsessed rich white men can’t cancel the humanistic nature of a diverse people that have been famous for their philanthropic generosity and passion for freedom for ages. We’ve been true to our friends. Our shores have been stained by the hateful greed of evil men many times before, but it’s the naturally altruistic people who are the underpinnings of our nation, casting aside unworthy leaders and their brutal intimidation over and over again. People with compassion for one another, caring for animals, caring for their planet, are the true drivers of civilization. We have known rudimentary brotherhood—a sense of global family. We won’t forget even if our infrastructure is destroyed.

Propaganda may temporarily persuade us that we’re helpless. Recent propaganda is powerful beyond previous boundaries while the negative powers have malicious control over what people see and hear. Our cognition has been degraded by the toxins of careless production in the air, ground, water, and food. But we can still rally. Don’t accept depression, because the forced capitulation of the good-hearted is a lie. The good-hearted never gave in. We are the survivors. We’ve only begun to stir to life. If we reach a point at which we have nothing to lose, we’ll be unimaginably dangerous. We’re dangerous now to those who would herd us. Intelligence and creativity can’t be legislated away—nor can love.