The story of Little Women written by Louisa May Alcott has been one of my favourite stories. A story about four sisters living the trials and victories during the 19th Century. I read the book many years ago when I was a young woman not knowing years later I would be blessed with daughters myself.
I recently watched the latest version of the movie and many of the lines spoken through the characters resonated with the modern woman in the 21st century.
My favourite line was the attic scene with Jo and her mother. Jo expressed to her mother if Laurie asked her again for marriage she will yes this time. Her mother asked “but do you love him?” Jo replied “I care more to be loved than want to be loved.” Mother responded “That is not the same as loving.” What a beautiful line!
Loving is free. It is unconditional. To desire someone. To care for someone at an unlimited level. Mindful of where you are in the relationship. Completely supportive of someone. Willingly offer yourself to that person. It feels absolutely natural. No feeling of hesitation whatsoever. The feeling is extremely sensational. It allows you to become vulnerable.
My Mother advised my sisters and me to marry someone who loves you more because he will never leave you. That is not always the case because the feelings of intimate love are not permanent. It changes overtime. It can move in various directions. You will know only in time. That time is wherever you are at the moment.
There is also the factor of being hurt from the person you love. When we love others we want it to be reciprocated. It doesn’t always work that way in many relationships. To simply love someone and not expect something back in return is the experience of loving.
Mrs. March gave Jo the opposite advice in romance and love from my own mother. Take that chance to love someone. To experience the desire for someone. That desire to give yourself to someone fully and not having the confirmation that it will be returned is a fulfiling human experience itself.
Photo by Irina Iriser on Unsplash