Isabelle Cimon contributing writer
The
Language
of Love
58
But what is love really all about besides an
schedules, because for the first time in my life, I
ecstatic ride on Cloud Nine or moonlight watch-
recently told one of my 78 year old patients, “You
ing in the back of a pick-up truck? Okay, I must
are beautiful and I love you.”
confess again. I never rode in a pick-up truck.
Love is multidimensional. Just like its Creator,
Unbelievable for all of you Southerners but
God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God’s love for
true…so true. I am so French-Canadian! There
His children can be portrayed as the holy grail,
is that warm and fuzzy feeling of romantic love.
the quintessential and most sought-after object
The power of love, just like Huey Lewis and the
of love and elation. That love should be nested
News used to sing in the good old 80’s. Like dark
in our hearts with gratitude and humility. Created
chocolate and a good champagne. Its featherlight
in His own image, let’s fall in love again with the
bubbles can light up fireworks worthy of the best
child we once were and the woman we are now as
4th of July celebration along the Grand Strand.
God’s unique masterpiece, sculpted and modeled
LOVE, AMOR, AMOUR… Sounds much better in another language, right? Culture and
That’s the kind of love you feel when you share a
not out of clay or marble, but out of our strengths,
accents transform a life’s perspective, making life and love especially, more mysteri-
long, very long kiss on the “Pont Neuf” in Paris.
flaws, passions and defeats (Romans 5:3-5). Just
ous, different and intriguing. Just like Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa smile. And I am definitely
There is also that mystifying kind of love. The
different compared to you, fellow Southerners. No grits or biscuits for breakfast. Just
one that violently dawns on you as the most
sourdough toasts and a vanilla and cardamom espresso.
like Michelangelo’s Pietà in Saint Peter’s Basilica
at the Vatican. Purely breathtaking.
enduring, elementary and enigmatic instinct of
Fully invigorated with this irreplaceable godly
The Southern accent is indeed a foreign language to me. But, I had the privilege to
all. Love for your children. That’s the kind of love
love leading us to personal discovery, authentic
never have to learn it. I learned English, though, but Southern? Never. Its music and
you feel when your outer world is suddenly fall-
self appreciation and full acceptance of ourselves,
rhythm just flowed in my mind and soul like a hot and humid summer breeze and I just
ing apart but surprisingly, you experience peace
we can better prepare to thrive, despite struggles,
indulged in it. Isn’t there anything more surprising but yet so welcoming than being
and gratitude because the essence of your life
through this beautiful but such unpredictable
called “Love” or “Hun” by a Southerner, just for the beauty of it?
is safely tucked in bed that night. There is that
journey that is marriage. Our husbands are now
Love is like the ultimate experience of the American toll-free highway. I recall my
generous, compassionate and affable kind of
more of lovers, companions, friends and leaders
father driving our family every year all the way from Eastern Canada to the be autiful
love. Love for your friends, your community.
and less of “line and wrinkle fillers” for plumping
state of South Carolina for our summer vacations. A 20 hour-drive through eight U.S.
Love for my patients. I have always been a loyal
and lifting our soul, as God is providing for our
states along I-95: New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Washington D.C., Virginia
and loving friend for my pals, but being a loving
need of value, identity and uniqueness through
and the Carolinas. Wasn’t scenery much prettier and exciting when it was a freeway?
doctor is a new journey for me. Very early in our
His unconditional love and mercy. So let His Spir-
No stops, no waiting lines, no dimes to look for, just the thrill and freedom of being on
medical school curriculum, compassion and
it guide us along the way, along the path that was
a four-lane road and flying as fast as we could (or as N.Y. patrol officers would allow) to
empathy are promoted as praised character
traced for us from our mother’s womb to our walk
our beloved state. Freedom, excitement and a few skipped heartbeats. Isn’t that what
traits. But what about love? Through my ten years
down the aisle and beyond…to a better marriage.
love is supposed to be all about? Yes, for sure, that’s part of the one-way trip option of
in college, I have never heard of that simple word.
I guess it’s time for me to get back on Inter-
love. But in the all-inclusive package deal of life and love, round-trip tickets are usually
Doctors can’t love their patients, they care for
state 95 South, heading wherever the Holy Spirit
mandatory. I can honestly assure you that the return trip to Canada after spending a
them. But I guess love can transcend the cold-
is guiding me on the freeway of love and wishing
whole month down South in July was nothing close to exaltation. Bliss stepped aside.
ness of operating rooms, the craziness of emer-
my faith will eventually lead me to the stairway to
Sorrow was in the driver’s seat.
gency departments and the hastiness of doctors’
Heaven. May love be with you all. Always.
FEBRUARY 2016
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