Although he lacked a great deal of formal education, he was nevertheless a very wise man. He loved my mother and me unreservedly. She still does, even if she can't tell you so. He went on to talk about Christmas presents and explained that, while we enjoy the gifts themselves, even more important is the love that underlies the giving of the gifts. Our love for one another is a reflection of God's great love as manifest in the gift of His son, entering our world and showing us the way to perfect love.
Love never dies.
I know their love even now, and take great comfort in memories of our love in good times and bad. And times can get bad. Life is very complex, and we learn as we grow that not all problems have simple solutions. Sometimes life's events cause us to be estranged from those persons we love the most. My life has turned out quite unlike my early expectations.