Love is a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning. Paul Coelho
A child’s definition of love
“When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That’s love.” Rebecca – age 8
When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy – age 4
“Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.” Terri – age 4
“Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen,” Bobby – age 7
“If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate,” Nikka – age 6
“Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday.” Noelle – age 7
“During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn’t scared anymore,” Cindy – age 8
“Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.” Mary Ann – age 4
“You really shouldn’t say ‘I love you’ unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget,” Jessica – age 8
A four-year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.”
LIVING IN THIS MOMENT 
Wonderful. Love the puppy licking definition…
Unconditional Love.
How marvellous! My favourites: Billy and Noelle.
Yes very cute! Thanks Hariod.
I loved these. The last one is my favorite. 🐇
Yes very moving. Thankyou
I love what kids have to say. Always so profoundly simple. Wise.
Yes so true. They are so open to receive love and see it so clearly! Thankyou Mary.
Real gems Karen! The last one made me tear up. Children have a knowing that many of us lose when we grow up. 💛
They do. It is a gorgeous story. Thanks Val 🙂
Amazing how much we can learn from children. I hope one day we can become just as aware how much we can teach them so they have the opportunity to grow up healthy and happy.
We do learn so much from them. As parents we have a big responsibility to nurture the gift of innocence and love within them! It is a gift for us all. Thanks Jonathan.
These are wonderful. I loved Billy’s. So sweet.
Very sweet. Thankyou Carrie.
When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You know that your name is safe in their mouth.” Billy – age 4 and the one who helped the old man cry. ❤
Diana xo
They certainly remind us what is important! 🙂
kids 4
president 🙂
YES!! Great idea 🙂
these remind me of the oft-repeated advice in writing: show, don’t tell.
Very true MK. It is good advice.
‘Out of the mouths of babes.’ Such wisdom. 🙂
Yes indeed 🙂
Leave it to the children to drill down to the heart of the matter. Love these Karen…
Lori
Exactly Lori, they certainly have a way to pull at our heart strings! Thankyou.
Oh for the wisdom of children! How I adored this post!
They are gorgeous expressions of love!! 🙂 Thankyou AmyRose
We would be wise to heed the wisdom from out of the mouths of babes!! ❤
Yes we would! 🙂
How wonderful! Many definitions and all of them ring true 🙂
Yes I agree 🙂
Such clarity and beauty. These definitions of love support the traditional beliefs of the Ojibwe – children are gifts from the Creator, born in a state of original sanctity.
They are Carol, and what a beautiful comment. Thankyou
Wow! Very beautiful post 🙂 Hugely sweet and touching quotes 🙂 Loved it! Warmest greetings, Sam 🙂
Thankyou Sam. Love is definitely what we need more of in this world. 🙂
These are all so sweet, but the last one is the best. Sometimes we just need a shoulder to cry on. Hugs
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Yes I agree. We all need that at times. Thankyou
☺🌷
Karen all of these are so very precious. Especially the last one. kids seem to have a way about them don’t they. I have this clear memory of my six year old niece turning around in church at my brothers funeral, she smiled and just grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I cannot describe the comfort I felt from that. She says now as an adult she can barely remember, but i will treasure that moment forever.
Such a beautiful story Kath. Children are very intune with grief and feelings. 🙂
Indeed they are Karen.