All You Need Is Love

"It just feels good to have someone's arm around me for a minute."

~ Donna ~

"I love my cats, but they just aren't doing it for me anymore."

~ Me ~

I recently took a trip to Arizona to see a friend of mine and get away for awhile.  As many of you may (or may not) know, Arizona is a kind of spiritual epicenter, if you will.  And as much as I resisted going, even after being on the road for a day, I knew I needed to go.  I needed some time of reflection.  I needed some answers to some burning questions.  I needed to surround myself with people who think like I do.  And although I did, indeed, get some clear answers to a couple things, I came home with more questions than when I left.  I may have actually come home with a damaged liver, but that's a story for another time.

My first real night in Arizona, I joined a group of people from my friend's circle and we all went dancing.  I hadn't been dancing in years!!  It was great fun, we drew a few stares as we demonstrated what a real two-step is, and as it turns out, the most profound thing I was to hear all week came from the mouth of one of the dearest ladies I've ever met, as we did a little two-stepping.  You see it in the first quote:  "It just feels good to have someone's arm around me for a minute."

I'm sure it went unrecognized, but that little, innocent statement hit me like a freight train.  There was no sexual undertone.  There was no preconceived idea of what reaction the comment might bring.  It was simply the honest reaction of a person who pretty much only wants what we all want.  We just want to be loved.  It melted me.

I've been single for quite some time now; happily single, I might add.  I love my simple one-bedroom apartment and all the "freedom" that goes with it, but lately, I have this nagging feeling something is missing.  

Although many would be surprised to know it, I actually lead a pretty solitary life.  I bond and banter with the guys (and sometimes gals) at the fire station for twenty-four hours at a time, and then I go home to two cats and my quiet apartment.  And yes, I'm very blessed.  I have two amazing daughters.  I have a good job, and a nice truck to drive.  I have a successful "hobby" in photography, two books being published this summer, at least three more children's books ready to write, and at least one person that wants me to ghost write for them.  Heck, I even drive for Uber!!  Life is great, whether I feel like it is or not.

It first started coming to me when I signed the contract for my books this year.  The day I signed that contract was arguably the most exciting day of my life (excluding the birth of my children, of course).  I came home from that trip and watched TV.  It was then it began to sink in how much I miss someone to share everyday life with.  I began to miss having someone share their life with mine.  

Sure, I love myself and all that.  I don't feel incomplete or like I need someone to complete me.  For the first time in a long time, I just feel an element is missing.  I want it, and life is passing by in a blur. 

I've had my share of love and heartache in my life.  Hell, we all have.  I'm not special in that regard.  And I'm finally beginning to learn, perhaps, what it's actually like to love someone without conditions.  It's difficult sometimes, but it's not complicated.  Love doesn't need to be.  It's about communicating, and sharing, and being transparent, and growing, and just being.  But I think in the end, what it might really be about is just having someone's arm around you just for a minute, whether that be physically or emotionally.  It just feels good.

So, thank you, Donna, for that gentle reminder that, at the end of the day, it really does feel good to have someone's arm around you, even if only for a moment.  And wouldn't our world be so much happier if we'd just do that for someone once in awhile?  Lend and ear?  Give a hug?   It's not so hard.   

We can work hard for big, pretty things like homes, cars, and vacations.  We can strive to achieve great goals and take pride in things like, oh, publishing a book.  But at the end of the day, I'd give it all for that special someone to put their arm around me and tell me about their day and ask me about mine.  Because, truly.........

Love is all you need.