I remember visiting my late grandpa at the nursing home when my boys were very young. Little backstory, he suffered from Alzheimer’s and had battled it for years. See, he had fought in WW2 and was even left for dead on the battlefield. There was a kind fellow comrade whom had refused to believe that he was dead and he fought to see signs of life. I am here because of that soldier’s choice. My grandpa however, never came back from the war the same. The disease that ultimately took his life, did not stop his love. My grandpa and I, even as his mind began to fail him more with time, had a very special bond and I still miss him. His patriotism for his country and his love for his family, never wavered. Near his last few years of life, there is a time that stands out. My sons and I had visited him at his nursing home. While visiting, I had placed my youngest, whom was just a baby at the time, in his arms. Though he may not have fully understood everything around him in its entirety, he never forgot how to hold a baby. As he stood there with my youngest son in his arms, he pointed out the window and replied excitedly, “The American flag!” In the distance our flag was waving in the air. It is amazing that though his mind may have been failing, he never forgot the love of holding a child. He never forgot the love for his country. The last time I left him, he told me to come back soon. I will never forget that. He remembered his love for me. Friend, as I watched my grandpa cling to the love that he had, despite his disease; I was reminded that love is innate in us. Even if our minds start to slip, or our hair goes gray and our hands wrinkle. Love is helping one another in the battles we sometimes endure in life. Love is being with each other and fighting for each other. Holding one another. Love is loving our country, because those we love, live there. Love is loving one another, to give us comfort and joy. Like my grandpa, even if our minds slip, somehow love is still inside of us. Even if it looks a little different. For when we love like we ought to, we can see God’s love really shine, by the love we share toward each other. God’s love is enduring. Unwavering. His love is endless. Friend, we must strive for a love like that. We must keep loving every one we encounter, as God has called us. For a life led with love, leaves a legacy of His love that lives, long after we have gone.

Erin Fitts-Brower

1 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV

bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Jeramiah 31:3 NKJV

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.