This small book, much like its companions Lunch Box Notes and Here's a Thought, consists of one hundred and one fairly mundane statements intended to capture
what love is ... Each page's singular statement (e.g., "An understanding of each
other's needs." "Never go to bed angry." "Changing the oil every 3,000 miles."
"Make them smile or laugh." "Not running over the cat when backing out of the
driveway." or simply "Communicate") is duplicated on a cut-off portion of the
same page. Readers are prompted to keep some for themselves and give selected
cut-outs to others. For example, a cut-off statement could be used as a bookmark
or a reminder, to share with friends or lovers in cards, letters or with gifts. It
could
be used as an informal announcement on a work or community bulletin board, or simply
presented to a loved one. Unfortunately, author Norm Caldwell provides no table of contents, page numbers, or index to help identify and find any given category of applicable statements, a
single item, or any especially poignant phrase.
Readers may want to consider writing or coming up with their own statements of love
and devotion. This reviewer would suggest "Expressing passion with mutual values
and caring behavior;" "Having the empathy to nurture and sensitivity to support
a relationship;" "The courage to work with limited resources and deepen commitment;"
"Making the sublime or ideal more realistic and joyful with everyday appeal;" and
others. With luck, Love Is... may prompt readers to characterize their personal processes of loving, their love relationships, or the attributes of what they believe love is...