March 29: Why I Believe In Love by Leanne Banks

I was raised to believe in love.

My parents were born close to the time of the Great Depression, so there were many things I take for granted that they didn't have. They gave me so many precious gifts. My parents taught me the power of having a sense of humor even in tough times. Even though they didn't have a lot when they started out together, they still knew how to have fun.

Here is a photograph of them starting out.

My mother remembers wearing cotton dresses in winter and putting cardboard in her shoes to cover the holes in the soles as a child, so she made sure that we always had warm clothes in winter and new shoes every season. My mother was the youngest of four children and her parents didn't always see the importance of affection, so when my mother had her children, she made sure to hug us several times a day. My parents taught me the magic of hugs.

My mother was a stay-at-home mom, but she learned how to do taxes and saved the money she earned to buy a piano so that we could learn the love and discipline of making music. That's a gift that keeps on giving even after I stopped practicing "The Happy Farmer" by Schumann.

My father worked three and sometimes four jobs to support us and he showed his love by his amazing example of positive thinking and persistence. Those traits were critical for making my writing career a reality. To this day, he looks to find the positive in every situation. He's the kind of man whom you can join for a golf game and by the end of it, even if your score is awful, he'll point every good shot you made, every almost- good shot you made, and have you convinced you're in the same league as Tiger Woods. My father is a master at seeing possibilities. Possibilities are what give us hope.

My parents fostered a love for the ocean. Even during the lean years, my parents loaded our family of five into the car, once in a Volkswagon with our dog in the back, and took us to the beach once a year. I still find enormous inspiration and peace from watching the waves, smelling the salt air and feeling the sand on my bare feet.

My parents showed me love by taking me to church so that I could experience the joy and comfort of having a faith in something larger than myself. The joy that comes from giving and the comfort of having something to hang onto during tough times. That ultimate love of our creator still humbles me.

Speaking of giving, my parents have continued to teach me about love even after I left home. My parents took care of their parents as they grew weak and needed help. My parents made several five-hour trips to Maryland to visit my Uncle when he developed complications from heart valve replacement surgery. My mother took a stuffed monkey to make him smile. My parents took on the supervision of care of my Aunt Ola when she developed Alzheimers. My father coaxed Ola to eat, feeding her like a baby. My mother advocated for her with doctors and caretakers and visited and talked with Ola even when Ola forgot her own name, let alone my mother's name. She made sure Ola was bathed and clothed in soft, comforting fabrics.

When my sister's husband became paralyzed, my parents helped them buy a car that he would be able to drive. When my other sister and her two daughters needed a temporary place to live, my parents opened their home. When I lost a pregnancy, my mother took care of my other children during the time that I was in the hospital.

When I finished my first book, NOT sold it, just finished writing it, my parents sent me flowers. Yeah, that's love, giving someone encouragement and praise when they didn't ask for it.

I could go on about how they paid for a full college education for all three daughters and provided the encouragement to each of us to complete our degrees, and all the emotional support they've provided throughout the years. Instead, I'll just give you another photograph of my parents dancing at their oldest granddaughter's wedding so you can see the joy and love that keeps on giving. I am so blessed.

Who taught you about love?

Xo,
Leanne Banks
www.leannebanks.com
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About Leanne Banks:

Leanne is grateful for awards and reviews and was particularly moved by a letter from a reader remarking that Leanne's book got her through a chemotherapy session. The reader's letter inspired a favorite turn of phrase: Never underestimate the power of a romance novel.

Leanne lives in her native Virginia with her husband and two teenage children. She loves music, chocolate, quotes, and new adventures. She also believes that romance readers are the best readers in the world because they understand that love is the greatest miracle of all.