While reading the story I found myself thinking and questioning my own beliefs and thoughts on love? What do I know love to be? How is love expressed? What are the actions of love? I also wonder whether It is possible for a “crazy” person to love? In the story, Ed physically abused his wife but he continuously claimed to love her. One could ask, “How is it possible to love someone when you are the cause of their pain”. How can you claim to love someone when you hurt them physically, mentally and emotionally? We have been taught that love is not self seeking but self-less, it is nor rude but kind. How then is it possible for him to say he loves her when his actions say otherwise?
In the same story there is also an elderly couple who were in a tragic accident in which both the husband and wife were badly injured. Due to the accident they were both in casts from head to foot. The elderly woman seemed to be improving whereas her husband seemed to be depressed. When the doctor asked what was wrong the elderly man expressed he was feeling depressed because he could not see his wife due to the cast. This elderly man wasn’t thinking for himself but was more worried for his wife. Even when the doctor informed him that his wife was recovering all he wanted was to see the face of his beautiful wife. Is that how love is supposed to be?
In Ed’s case, I think Ed’s demonstration of love might have been influenced by tough life experiences. Ed probably had a rough childhood. I also wonder if Ed was always like that or if it wasn’t until later in life that he changed. What caused Ed to think the way he did about love. What happened in his own life that misconstrued his thought of love? In the end I wonder even though he wasn’t in his right mind, is he still capable of loving?
I just finished reading ths section where Terri talks about sitting with Ed at the hospital after he shot himself.Terri had stated, "He didn't have anyone else." I think this is an expression of true love-
ReplyDeletebeing there for a former partner or friend
even after they have mistreated you.
I just finished reading ths section where Terri talks about sitting with Ed at the hospital after he shot himself.Terri had stated, "He didn't have anyone else." I think this is one expression of true love-
ReplyDeletebeing there for a former partner or friend
even after they have mistreated you.
I agree with you on the idea of love having to be shown with ones actions and not only one saying it over and over like in Ed's case. Also this can reflect our love for God, how can we claim to love Him and yet spit on His face with our actions? We must show that we belong to Him and that we love Him with our actions as well. If you really love somebody, it will show.
ReplyDeleteYou are right to question what we really know about love. Was it truly possible for Ed to love? Great thinking!
ReplyDeleteI also questioned the real meaning of love and do we truly understand it ourselves. I think just as Jose stated, that in order for us to really understand love we must first learn through our Savior Jesus Christ. Through him we can find the true meaning of love, and never be mistaken again. In regards to Ed I do not believe he could possibly have loved, and I also think that so many of them thought that love was sort of something different and the concept was never the same. Love to me does not mean the kind of love that any of them think in this story.
ReplyDeleteI also believe with your statement of love being shown by ones actions.
ReplyDeletei think that its really funny how these two stories are told and are the complete opposite, yet some of the things are the same.. ed beats terri and threatns to kill her while this elderly couple loves each other and sticks it out just for the other person. each to thier own sense is a matter of devotion... ed cant see terri so he kills himself... the older man cant see his wife so he goes into a state of depression that almost kills himself...one we consider crazi and dangerous the other a sense of romanticism
ReplyDeleteIf Ed really loved Terri, wouldn't his love have over come his need to demonstrate through violence? I know it may sound naive and foolish, but I truly believe that the love we have for our spouses can change us for the better. If we try to love, I can't help but want to see good fruit from it. What love is should be a solution and not a source of destruction.
ReplyDelete