“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”

(Colossians 3:12 NLT)

My daughter’s cat is a real toll collector. She always follows my daughter over to my house in the morning and lays on my back deck. Then each time one of us comes outside she runs over “Meowing” until we pet her and scratch her head. We call it paying the “Pet Pet Tax” and none of us mind doing it.

And my dogs are even worse. When I am sitting in my chair reading suddenly a dog head will be on my knee with eyes looking at me wanting some love and attention. And as soon as I pet one dog the other two will show up as well climbing on me until I put my book down and love on them too. I actually admire them for asking for love so easily and giving it to us so freely and unconditionally. They have taught me a lot about how to love over the years.

One of my greatest human teachers of love was my dear old, Italian Nana. We lived with her until her house burned down when I was only 11 years old. After that she moved to a little trailer several miles away from our new home. We visited often and each time I opened her door I saw the joy on her face. Even when she couldn’t get out of her chair anymore without a walker she would still open her arms, say “Hello!” in her sweet, sing-song voice and give me a hug and kiss as I bent down to embrace her. I still miss her every single day. And what I wouldn’t give to get
just one more hug and kiss from her.

What my Nana, my pets, my children, and so many others have taught me is that Love is open arms. It is hugs and kisses. It is laughter and smiles. It is petting your pets and embracing your loved ones. It is opening the door for a stranger. It is the gentle words we share and the thousand acts of kindness we do. And Love is Joy! Remember God Loves you. And God wants you to Love as well with open arms and an open heart. May you always do so.

Joe Mazzella
Upper Glade, WV