Thirtyfor30: Tis better to have loved and lost

A close friend once blurted out "You're so good at loving! I don't know what's wrong with you. After all the people who hurt you, who treated you obnoxiously, here you are, unafraid to start all over again."

At first, I was confused if I'd take it as a compliment or as an insult; I chose the former. At that very moment, I looked back on all the years I've devoutly poured my heart out to people who couldn't even give an ounce of love back.

What was I thinking? For one I believe that all the love I give to the world will one day find its way back to me. One way or another. So pain and rejection, deceit and contempt didn't stop me from loving the next one to come. As for the ones who came and never stayed, they hold a special place in my heart. I believe that we will never unlove a person we loved before, we just love them differently.

I met my current boyfriend when I was in the middle of revamping my life from the greatest pain I had experienced. Fear was an understatement of all the things I had endured just to give it a try. Thoughts like "Maybe this one will hurt me, too!" but with hands clasped I prayed relentlessly day and night; finally, the love I gave all these years found its way back to me.

No one knows what the future holds but until God showers his love in me, I have all the love to give.

_{Note: Cover photo from Canva with minor adjustments}