"He wished he could somehow let Claire know that this was what love was. The ability to ask for something. The desire to give someone what they asked for."
~ Alice Hoffman – The Story Sisters*
So simple, isn’t it?
Too simple?
That ability + that desire = love.
And sometimes, the asking need not even be spoken aloud.
*a wonderful book
15 comments:
It was a "strange" book in some ways but then many of Alice Hoffman's books are strange in "that way" -- a little fey and mystical. I enjoyed the book and that quote...yes!
And so it is...that simple. Now if we could only learn to get out of our own way.
apt.
That is a delightful quote! It seems to be one of those groupings of words that is so simple on the surface, but filled with riches the deeper you dig!
sherry lee:
Perhaps I’m a little fey? Not so mystical, though. Love her work.
Lynda:
Excellent point – we seem to have a tendency to make it so much more complicated.
Oreneta:
Succinct. ;)
Deidra:
And those are the ones I capture for my journal…
I have to look up that author, I've never read anything by her...
To find that kind of connection, be it friendship/love or a more physical kind of love, that is rare. But worth the wait. Funny you should mention this book - I finished it about a week ago, just brought it back to the library!
oh wow...this made me cry. don't know why, but it did.
XOXOXOX
Bodhi Chicklet:
Rare, yes, but if you really think about it, it does exist – with family, friends.
That other kind? Still waiting… ;)
Beth:
Made me kind of teary, too. But I still love the simplicity and beauty of it.
I'm afraid I'd stumble over myself trying to do the right thing.
But it's interesting when it's complicated!
people like to do things for others.
it makes us feel good.
it's ok to call that love.
i'm not sure it defines love however.
i wish people i love would give me more useful, concrete ways to be helpful, without being too demanding or taking too much of my time.
lol.
Interesting analogy. Thank you for posting this.
JR:
I bet you do it anyway – stumble or no.
Zhu:
A simple definition need not mean the loving relationship is a simple, uncomplicated one. ;)
Seraphine:
Ah, there’s the rub! How many requests can be made of one before we start wondering, “What the hell?”
It’s all gotta be “tit for tat.” ;)
Shelly:
You’ve very welcome – I like sharing some of the gems I find.
I love this quote, I'm writing it down because it is so beautiful. Most of the most beautiful things in the world are so simple, so clear.
I don't understand why love, that may begin this clear, can't stay this simple. For some reasons, other life factors seem to muddy it up.
I love her books, I'll have to put this one on my list.
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