A group of children were once asked, "What does 'love' mean?" Here are some sample answers:

 

 

• Rebekah, 8, said, "When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time-even when his hands got arthritis, too. That's love."

• Billy, 4, said, "When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth."

• Bobby, 7, says, "Love is what's in the room at Christmas, if you stop opening presents and listen."

• Nikka, 6, says, "If you want to learn to love better, you should start with someone you hate."

• Tommy, 6, says, "Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."

• Cindy, 8, says, "During my piano recital, I was on a stage, and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me, and I saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. And I wasn't scared anymore."

• Jessica, 8, says, "You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot."*