From the Editor
I can almost hear the echo of Tina Turner’s iconic question from the ’80s, reverberating through time. The answer, as it turns out, is everything.
Love is our greatest superpower. It is that unseen yet omnipresent force that weaves through us and connects us to one another. It’s in the cup of coffee my husband hands me first thing in the morning for more than 30 years. It’s why I’m writing this from my mother’s hospital room, where I have been sitting with her for more than eight hours now.
As we approach this season of love, it’s easy to get caught up in the idealized romance – the electric spark of a first kiss, the magnetic pull between two souls discovering their affinity, and the thrill of a budding relationship. Yet love, in its true essence, goes far beyond these initial flames.
Love grows. It matures, expands, and transforms in the most unexpected ways. It’s the lifelong companionship of a devoted couple, the pure, unconditional bond between a mother and her newborn, the familial ties that bind us to those we consider kin, by blood or by choice.
I saw this kind of enduring love in my parents’ 65-year marriage. As they got older they disliked how often they had to visit the doctor. To make the situation more enjoyable, they would schedule one another’s doctor appointments in the late afternoon so they could go directly to their favorite diner afterwards.
Each of us carries a unique love story. Mine began on a blind date with Bob in 1989, when we were in college. The moment we saw one another, something seemed to click. We both can recount the minute details of that night. He still talks about the blue sweater I was wearing. Sparks flew, leading us to marriage and, years later, to the overwhelming love we felt with the arrival of our children, and witnessing our parents transition into doting grandparents.
However, love isn’t just about the highs. Our college days were filled with a lighter, care-free love, which evolved as we embraced parenthood and faced life’s practical challenges.
With a mortgage and three babies close in age, we had many practical challenges before us. There was a lot to worry about, but still, more to celebrate. I stayed home with the kids in the earliest years and together, we found creative ways to save money and make it work. In 2020 we faced the tragic loss of our son and we learned that great grief is the price we pay for great love.
Love can be painful; it can ebb, leading to heartaches and goodbyes, and sometimes, it paves the way for new beginnings.
True love though is a deep, enduring connection that stands firm against life’s storms.
So, what’s love got to do with it? In the quest for a fulfilling life, love is the cornerstone. It’s our purpose – to love and be loved in return.
The LGBTQ+ community’s mantra, “Love always wins,” resonates deeply with me. Under all the layers of conflict, anxiety, and difference, we uncover love at our very core, the most potent and splendid aspect of our existence.
This Valentine’s Day, regardless of where you are or whom you’re with – a partner, child, friend, family, or a cherished pet – I hope you embrace and celebrate love in all its forms.
Thank you for choosing to read this issue of Shore Local Newsmagazine. May your February be filled with love, warmth, and joy.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
