The Things She Loved

Yes, I do sometimes scan the obituaries printed in the drastically shrinking daily newspaper. Last week a photograph caught my eye, and I learned this about the dear woman who died: “She loved photography, Coca-Cola, and unicorns.” Yes, that’s what it said. But the two words she loved made me wonder, What if we were known by what other people think we love? What would someone who observed my life over time (or even over an afternoon) imagine that I love? And if I were to be proactive and painfully truthful, how would I answer that two-word prompt about myself? “She loved . . .”

Because someday someone will fill in the blank.

Once, an old boyfriend and I exchanged “I love” lists. It was a sweet exercise and a fun way to tell each other a few of the things we most enjoyed. I remember items like Sousa marches and flannel sheets, border towns and crossword puzzles. Wearing clothes still warm from the dryer, the smell of freshly mowed grass, hot baths, and peonies. But my deepest, truest loves weren’t on there. I can’t speak for him, but I left off several of the things I love most.

I love Jesus. I have since I was eight. And I love him more each day that goes by. I love my family and my friends, and I believe they know it and love me back. I love beauty and truth . . . and anything that combines them really makes me happy. (In her poem “I died for beauty,” Emily Dickinson said “the two are one,” and I’m not so sure they aren’t.) But if I could only fill in one blank, there’s no contest: “Oh, how I love Jesus, because he first loved me.”

Paul said he purposed to “know” nothing among the Corinthians but “Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified” (1 Corinthians 2:2). That was his one thing. Know Paul for an hour and you would know that. His obituary would have easily written itself. So what do you love? How would those who know you best answer the question? How would you? Because even now, we’re becoming known by the things we love.

I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.

1 Corinthians 2:2

From the book