When I consider the essence of "LOVE," what is it that I am thinking or feeling. The Greeks expressed the existence of five basic forms of love: Agape, Phileos, Eros, Fileos, and Caritas

Virtue Junix Mors Non Seprabit - What Love Joins, Death will not Separate.

Agape is that love which existed before we were born, it is the love that exists for no other reason than the sake of being. It is divine love, the purest of loves, it is love un-conditional. Felloes is the love between comrades. It is the love in which we find fidelity and brotherhood. Eros is physical love or love of the physical. It is our sexual desires and lusts, our possessiveness of material goods. It is simply erotic. Each of these loves is important in our lives, each to a lesser or greater degree. We can assume that I will always have Agape and fidelity, and that my Eros will always be appreciative for you being there. No doubt, it is of the utmost importance for each of us to have these LOVES in proper place in respect to ourselves.

Since I am a Christian, I must add this note. We are commanded to Love GOD as we Love ourselves. Analyzed, we see that GOD first expects us to truly and properly Love ourselves (rational selfishness) before we attempt to show Love to him, or others. Respect yourself!

I haven't been to Church in a long time, but since GOD is everywhere, I can talk to him anytime and anyplace. When Nietzsche said that "God is dead," he meant that the belief in Christianity will ultimately wither away as people seek spiritual satisfaction from their own inner sources, not the Church. Traditional Churches are opposed to homosexuality, as you are probably aware. However, I know I am a sinner, and GOD knows my orientation and my Soul. I know GOD wants me to do my best, be happy, love, accept myself, and have faith in Jesus as my Saviour. I do not need a Church or any other organization imposing their "slave morality" upon me. But I do not forsake or disapprove the gathering together of believers, especially for support and sharing of life, love, and faith. We are all unique individuals, common to one human race, one planet, one Heavenly Father, and one Saviour.

I noted from my last "love," that eros can change drastically with views. As I became disenchanted with Robert, he became less attractive physically and more repugnant. I will have to tell you more in person, hopefully.

This is not all I have to say on LOVE; after all, it is the cornerstone for all relationships. You certainly do not go to a tax man that you hate (when that time comes) regardless of how much you hate taxes. There is also "revolutionary love." Love of comrades fighting for the people, and love of people. Not an abstract people, but people one lives and works with.

Family is also an important concept in my life. Family that is not limited by genes. Family is maternal and parental. As an adoptee, it is important to come to grips with love under these concepts. The expression: "anyone can be a father, it takes someone special to be a dad," rises to mind with this concept. Twice in my life, I have returned home to that caring and sustaining love of family. I moved out from my family's supervision when I reached 18 years, I found myself returning after a year. I again required the safe haven of home and family after leaving the service and laboring through three years of life in San Diego. I expect someday, I will care for my Mom in my house - it will be home and family.

Family is also social. It is the close bonds between dear friends, it is the discipline between comrades in arms, and it is with any one you share pain and triumph with.

The "military disciplines" I have commented on, merely refer to the fact that disciplines and manners are a basic necessity in life. Yes, even though discipline and manners, common courtesy and respect are universal concepts, they are easily neglected in todays busy world. We are all guilty of the fault of reserving our greatest politeness for friends and strangers and laying aside in the home that refinement and consideration which are the foundation of the social graces. Hopefully, it does not take military training or threats of military discipline to enable our social manners.

I have mentioned to my renters/roommates, if you can't hack life in the real world, the military may be best for you. There, your day and duties are planned. Duty is assigned to maintain the neatness and efficiency of the unit. Should you have trouble remembering to clean up after yourself, to perform the general and daily maintenance of yourself and the common property and space we share; perhaps, someone else should plan it for you. Life is not easy nor is it generally fair. Opportunities don't always knock at your door, sometime you have to chase them down or even make them happen. The world owes you nothing and it is genuinely unconcerned with your existence.

Life is a struggle. The universe has no conscience with which to be concerned with our or even its own existence. In the midst of this dark chaotic universe, struggling creatures, such as ourselves, form bonds and dependencies that make life more bearable, less demeaning and sometimes euphorically conquerable.

Romance! Romance is where you make it. Romance is not an exotic island or a cruise ship. Romance is a feeling and moment independent of time and place. It is a sparkle in our eyes when they meet with unspoken understanding. It is a moment of calm in the arms of a lover in the mists of a stormy world of weather and economic chaos. It is the silent lucidity of hospitality when caring for the needs of your mate in career or health. It is the chocolate bar I'll split with you. It is often things taken for granted, until they are missed and longed for, much like an old stuffed toy of childhood companionship. Most of all, romance is the reassuring whispers of support against the odds of the world.