Does love really mean not having to say you are sorry

"Love means never having to say you are sorry" from Eric Segal's book "Love Story" and also made famous by the movie of the same name based on book. I'd read this book in high school and that line made me extremely happy. To me it meant that if I loved someone, I didn't need to be courteous to them. I could  speak to them the way I want and say what I want and it was all right. Life was good.

Then I watched "What's up doc" and the movie's ending had the Barbara Streisand's character say the same thing and the response was "That's the dumbest thing I have ever heard". That was a slap in the face. It meant I had to shape up.

After I got married, I lived on the principle of "not having to say I'm sorry" and I was okay but I can't say the same about my poor husband. I think I am truly blessed that he has the ability to filter everything I say and do. When I think back, I don't think I would have put up with what I shelled out. Thank God for people in my life who were too sensible to take what I dished out and showed me how dumb my attitude was. But really, it took a movie to make me realise what a dumb attitude it was. One does tend to take the wisdom of people close to them for granted [my kind way of saying I ignored them].

I realize today how important it is to treat the people we love in the best way possible. Being comfortable and loving someone doesn't mean taking them for granted. Loving someone means appreciating what a huge blessing it is in our lives to have someone like that. Today I think we need to put in extra effort to be extra nice to these special people who know us so well and love us anyway.

This year my Lenten abstinence is to not get angry over little things with people who forgive me so easily. Beleive me its harder than it sounds because I'm a perfectionist and I know exactly how things need to be done. Doesn't mean it is, but I believe it is and thats what's important right?? Okay, okay. I know. I'm getting off my high horse and admitting I need to change. Lets set the example for change for the better.

Don't flatter yourself that friendship authorizes you to say disagreeable things to your intimates. The nearer you come into relation with a person, the more necessary do tact and courtesy become.

    - Oliver Wendell Holmes