Ghosts of Loss

what is it that makes a person great, admired by creation,
well pleasing in the eyes of god? what is it that makes a
person strong, stronger than the whole world; what is it
that makes him weak, weaker than a child? what is it that
makes a person unwavering, more unwavering than a rock;
what is it that makes him soft, softer than wax? -- it is love!
what is it that is older than everything? it is love. what is
it that outlives everything? it is love. what is it that cannot
be taken but itself takes all? it is love. what is it that
cannot be given but itself gives all? it is love. what is it
that perseveres when everything falls away? it is love. what is
it that comforts when all comfort fails? it is love. what is it
that endures when everything is changed? it is love. what is it
that remains when the imperfect is abolished? it is love. what
is it that witnesses when prophecy is silent? it is love. what
is it that does not cease when the vision ends? it is love. what
is it that sheds light when the dark saying ends? it is love.
what is it that gives blessing to the abundance of the gift? it
is love. what is it that gives pith to the angel's words? it is
love. what is it that makes the widow's gift an abundance? it is
love. what is it that turns the words of the simple person into
wisdom? it is love. what is it that is never changed even though
everything is changed? it is love; and that alone is love, that
which never becomes something else.

Søren Kierkegaard