Love Language....

     Every Thursday night my Dad's mother (to me she is Memaw) has our immediate Broken Arrow family over for dinnner. If everyone shows up there are 8 people and each week she prepares a meal big enough for all of us. She plans her menu and diligently remembers who doesn't like onions and who doesn't like cheese and which dessert everyone enjoys the most. She sets the table, brings out the glasses for filling, keeps all of the food warm, and makes sure to have enough left over that if anyone wants to take some for lunch the next day they can. She doesn't eat until we all eat and is the first one to get up and ask if anyone needs anything from the kitchen. She greets each of us with a smile, warm hug, and a kiss. She gives you her full attention when you are telling a story and smiles like its the most interesting thing she's ever heard. Then, when the night is over she walks each of us to the door, more hugs and kisses are given, and then stands on the porch and watches us to make sure we make it to our cars/trucks. When everyone is gone she cleans off the table, washes the dishes, and puts everything away. She never gripes, never asks for help, and never gets upset if she has cooked for 8 and only 3 show up. Memaw is 80.....yes 80.......to this I say- What a woman and what a love language!  (Don't worry, if anyone shows up early of course we offer to help set the table and offer to pick up/ do dishes if we are still there- didn't want you to think we aren't grateful!)

     I have never read the books about love languages and have never watched a talk show or debate about them either, but from what I gather it is important to know two things:

• What is your love language?
• What are the love languages of those around you?

     For some showing love may be providing a meal for their family, always being there for someone with a listening ear and a big shoulder to cry on, or even writing a song for a sweetheart. We all have things we do out of love and I think being aware of those things is vital. Before I learned to cook I had no idea the amount of time, hardwork, and LOVE that gets put into the preparation for each Thursday evening..... but I always felt the LOVE when I entered her home. I can promise you without a shadow of a doubt that each person at that table knows exactly what her love language is.....and I can only hope that someday those I love will be able to say the same about mine.