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THIS CRAZY LITTLE THING THEY CALL LOVE
Kathlyn Q. Barrozo
Class of 1991, University of Santo Tomas
B.S. Medical Technology
When people are in love, they tend to do things that they would otherwise not do during their saner, more
lucid moments. Love, after all, has been touted to give temporary madness to those who are fortunate-or
unfortunate-to get afflicted with it. Pardon me if I make it sound like a disease, but isn’t this the truth? I mean,
which person wouldn’t admit to being giddy, high-up-in-the-clouds crazy, deeply, madly in love? Even nuns and
priests also feel the love they have for the Lord as a much stronger form than any other earthly love. Lucky for
them, the One they have a deep love for remains constant through time, unlike human-to-human love which
can often be wrought with negative feelings along the way.
Love has become cliché in this day and age. Somehow, it has turned commercial, too. Notice how celebrating
Valentine’s day has become pricier every year? What is it with Valentine’s day and roses and hotel
reservations? Unless some of you reading this would find this writer bitter, let me apologize for that quip back
there. I guess having had no Valentine’s dates for some time has turned me jaded, but it has somehow made
me see how overrated Valentine’s day has become.
Oh, but I do love my wedding anniversary day. Despite not having my husband around anymore, I am still able
to celebrate the day with my kids, who always remind me when the date is barely a week away. “Mama, it’s
going to be your and papa’s anniversary next week. What will we have?” That’s their annual dialogue, friends.
One time, I told them that their papa’s dead anyway, so what point was there in celebrating? But my children
have always shown a fierce dedication to their late father, “Mama, just because he’s dead doesn’t mean he’s
not your husband anymore.” Whatever smart comeback I may decide to give stays stuck at the back of my
throat. Death has apparently not done us part, my late husband and I, as far as my children are concerned.
Heck, as far as I am concerned.
The promises we give to our beloved do not ultimately end with their death. It only brings the relationship to a
higher level, I guess.
Talking to a fellow widow and classmate back in January, I asked her what she misses most about her late
husband. She replied that it was the interesting conversations they always had at the end of the day, which
stretched far into the night. It was having someone to listen to your gripes and sympathize with you at every
turn. It was the security of having someone to hold you when you felt alone.
I agree, wholeheartedly.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Is love to be “till death do us part”? Why or why not?
2. What would make you stop loving a person? Elaborate on your answer.
3. Why is love often overrated nowadays? Why do you think the writer sees love as becoming cliché-ish?
4. If you had the power to be loved by anyone you want, which person would you want to love you? Why?
5. What makes a successful loving relationship?