Spring has officially arrived. Now, we know there will be cold snaps, but they won’t last because as the Spring Equinox occurs, this part of the earth has warmer and longer sunlight that triggers the spring season. This year is special because of the special young love that has developed over the last several years between my grandson, Tyler and his fiancée, Autumn. They are so in love and expecting their first child in June.
We all remember being young and in love. Remember all the friends and sweethearts that we experienced and all the wonderful, horrible, memories and embarrassing moments that helped make us who we are today. Yet, when we are young, adults can look at these relationships as if they won’t last, they always break up and another person will soon replace that girlfriend/boyfriend easily. Never is there a break up that is easy or easily replaced. That first love is a powerful love that we don’t forget. Remember?
Adults who underestimate the strength of the bond — or the impact of the loss — of a first love may have forgotten what a blow it was when they lost their own first love. Loss of a love relationship is always painful. Comforting adolescent loss of love should be taken seriously. Don’t attempt to down play their relationships. Don’t joke about their loss or say another will come along soon. You don’t know that. It is not a joke and consequences can be serious.
Deal with your children who lose at love the same way you would anyone. Be there for them to talk and cry. They need your help. Seek professional help for them if they should need it. A first love loss can be so crushing to some teenagers that they may isolate themselves, have suicidal thoughts and, the worst, some actions. Keep them safe until the crisis is over.
Remember, my friends and readers, embrace 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things”.  Love God and all people. Amen.
