What love looks like...

Home again... the early morning chatter on the farm before harvest, the smell of laundry from outside, the dust settling on every square inch of me, and oh the children.  Yesterday someone said "the mother of the village must be home because there were very few children here and now, they are everywhere."  Mother of the Village.  I'm not sure about that title... but I certainly know it takes a village.  
While all these things are the beauty that settle around me... nothing compares to yesterday.  One of my bigs has proven to have such deep love for his birth family.  We always know it is there. We encourage it, and quite frankly, love them a lot as well. (seriously, his grandmother is one of my favorite people I've met here) 
Unprompted, on our time away, he thoughtfully gathered gifts for each one of his family members, especially the children.  "will this fit?" He would ask.  Thought.  Time.  His own money.  
Yesterday was the delivery.  He has never forgotten them.  He carries his birth family with him through life. I can see this.  He carefully bagged each bag for each family member. I could see the anticipation and excitement building.  
He was gone for maybe 2 hours.  Upon his return, he had some cousins with him, which he had never invited over.  We welcomed them, and said they were welcome in.  He showed them his home... taught them how to play games, and laughed and laughed.  They are the ones he grew up with.  The ones before us.  They are his family. 
Afterwards, he and I were able to talk a bit about his visit.  I could see that the burden of their need weighs so heavily upon him. There were things that were unsettling to him, where he coached even older family members to be more responsible and mature.  He said "how can you not help?"  That is love.  That's the love that makes someone come outside of themselves... their own selfishness... and give.  "You can give without love, but cannot love without giving" a pastor recently told me.  
To see my son, who once felt he had nothing to give... give in such a generous way... without being prompted or guided... is amazing.  
It's what love looks like...