Love vs. Obligation

• A house is a house is a house-until love comes through the door, that is. And love intuitively goes around sprinkling that special brand of angel dust that transforms a house into a very special home for very special people: your family.
  
  
• Money, of course, can build a charming house, but only love can furnish it with a feeling of home.
  
  
• Duty can pack an adequate sack lunch, but love may decide to tuck a little love note inside.
  
  
• Money can provide a television set, but love controls it and cares enough to say no and take the guff that comes with it.
  
  
• Obligation sends the children to bed on time, but love tucks the covers in around their necks and passes out kisses and hugs (even to teenagers!).
  
  
• Obligation can cook a meal, but love embellishes the table with a potted ivy trailing around slender candles.
  
  
• Duty writes many letters, but love tucks a joke or a picture or a fresh stick of gum inside.
  
  
• Compulsion keeps a sparkling house. But love and prayer stand a better chance of producing a happy family.
  
  
• Duty gets offended quickly if it isn't appreciated. But love learns to laugh a lot and to work for the sheer joy of doing it.
  
  
• Obligation can pour a glass of milk, but quite often love will add a little chocolate.
  

[ Author Unknown -- from 'Aiken Drum' (Aiken@AikensLaughs.com) ]