Let Not the Sun Go Down on Your Wrath
When we think of the Brothers Grimm, nasty little tales of witches and trolls come to mind. But the Grimm brothers also wrote a story about love. Of course, it has its scary moments, but the basic thread in Tom Thumb is that no one is so incidental as not to have tremendous impact when the heart is keenly focused.
February is a month for sharing love, so here are 3 more little ways to say “I love you.”
Mend fences. Harsh words come so easily when we’re frustrated, and the person lambasted is often someone important to us. Take a long moment to think about it, then take the time to apologize. A simple but deeply felt, “I’m sorry for being a jerk” is often enough.
Focus on the details. One of my friends who stayed overnight brought me a little decorated box. Not a grand, expensive gift but a loving one, because she remembered that I like boxes. Make a list of what you know about a friend or loved one. Include: their favorite color, most sentimental possession, a favorite toy or game, what they like to collect, a favorite teacher or mentor, their highest achievement in school or in Scouts. When you’re stuck for an idea, this list will help you decide what to give or what to say.
Make a love date. Parties are great fun, being surrounded by friends and family. But sometimes an individual gets lost in a group. Make a habit of scheduling a “love date” with one friend, one child, one elderly neighbor. Have a meal together or just have tea and focus all your attention on learning more about the other person. Keep the attention on their interests, their accomplishments, their dreams. Remember the most powerful word in the English language: you.
Early in the movie Tom Thumb, Tom’s parents-to-be have an argument. The man goes over to a ceramic figure of two birds, clearly a prized possession in his humble home. Each bird has a candle on its back, and scribed below the birds is the sage advice, “Let not the sun go down on your wrath.” He lights a candle and turns the bird to face the other one. Seeing what he’s done, his irate wife smiles, lights the other candle, and turns her bird to face his.
Schmaltzy? Yeah, maybe, but also rather sweet for a story penned by the Brothers Grimm.
