I love happy endings. My friends consider me “a hopeless romantic”. I learned from one of those romantic movies made by the famous card company that “first love is a forever love”.

Yes, I am in agreement with that statement. First love usually happens when we are teenagers and most often gives us insight into those wonderful emotions that love can provide; the intensity of learning about our feelings, and even those butterflies that are indescribable reminders of the need for human companionship.

As a twice-widowed woman, I have been blessed to have experienced married love. My husbands both loved and tolerated the person I had become. Without knowing it, they should have been indebted to the gift of my having a great first love.

That friendship provided me with the confidence I needed to follow my dreams; I am a better person because I had a wonderful first love. Through circumstances of life, my family moved from where I met my first love, and so we did not marry, but the joy of this friendship will always live in my heart.

My faith in God was enhanced by that first love. I sensed that a higher power had ordained our meeting in high school and falling in love. The love and friendship I have with the Lord continues to be strengthened by the memories of discovering how wonderful it was to know someone who understands us, encourages us and cares deeply for us. That is the essence of first love.

People often describe teen-age love as ‘puppy love’. As far as I know. puppies are happy creatures without a care in the world. They understand the joy of sharing and playtime, and seem to have very few worries.

Teenagers, if they are smart enough to avoid serious sexual encounters, can share the joy of fun moments, new experiences and the wonder of being in love. The whole world takes on new meaning when people fall in love.

I recently attended the wedding of a widow and a bachelor who met in church, courted for a year and then chose to marry. They share many things in common but most of all, they both love the Lord. Perhaps it would have been more convenient to just live together, but their decision at 74 and 68 years of age to unite through the Sacrament of Marriage was beautiful and we who were present, can be edified by their love for God and for each other.

For those who have loved and are now alone, there is comfort in memories of the love that was shared throughout our lives. I find great consolation in spending time with the Mother of Jesus, who lived a life of love and loss, and her gift of grace provides the strength I need to live on my own.

I think of my daily rosary prayers as a time of conditioning for my soul; the repetition, the meditation on the mysteries can provide lessons to help keep us on track, as we walk that narrow path towards heaven.

As well, the recitation of the Hail Holy Queen at the end of the rosary is a perfect prayer for those who are in mourning: “Mother of Mercy, our life, our sweetness and our hope” are powerful words that speak to our hearts and give us courage. The Blessed Virgin suffered so much in her life, and yet, she overcame this pain and will help us to live with our sorrows.

If you are suffering the loss of a loved one, living with a difficult medical condition, or just feeling that you are without hope, try turning to Our Lady whose love is just a Hail Mary away from your heart.