What Love Isn't

I’ve met my granddaughter’s school bus at least a hundred times.

Each time, we’ve shared a simple, happy walk home.

She often asks, Did Papa come today?

Most days, I explain that he had to stay home to work.

But on this day, when the bus rolled to a stop, I watched her face as she spotted Papa standing on the sidewalk.

Her eyes filled with love. Pure love. The joy-filled kind we all need.

I watched as she ran to him. I took her backpack and handed her an umbrella.

Then I followed behind as they shared a walk that quietly showed me what love isn’t.

Love isn’t about money—because they hadn’t spent a dime and were having a ball.

Love isn’t age—because the two of them are decades apart.

Love isn’t even showing up every time the bus comes.

So if love isn’t these things, what is love?

It is a heart that opens without asking for anything back.

A presence that needs no explanation.

A walk taken simply because someone you love is waiting.

And I followed it all the way home.