Loyalty: Define your actions

                Actions define loyalty.

                Children running into the open arms of their parents.

Photo courtesy of 123rf.com

                Dogs sleeping at the foot of their masters’ beds.

                Young wives waiting at airport terminals for their husbands to return home.

                Each act shows a specific trait: trust, friendship or love.

   Loyalty is a sense of trust.

   Every vacation, I drive six hours across 314 miles of New York State to see my family. The process of going home never changes.

Missing is my
baby brother, Matt.

   I pull into my driveway and park my car in between my parents’ cars. I walk into the mudroom, take off my shoes and put them in their usual place. My family always waits and greets me with a smile in the kitchen full of warm feelings and delicious smells.

   This process never changes because my family knows I like consistency.

    I trust they will not make any drastic changes while I am gone. They know I have a hard time adjusting to change, and they respect that.

    My family has never let me down, and because of this, I know I can ask them for advice, for help or anything else I might need because they have my best interest at heart.

    Loyalty is a sense of love.

    After making that long adventure across the state, I can always count on my cat, Hermione, to come running out of her warm, cozy hideaway to greet me with a wet kiss and loud purrs.

She's a curious little cat!

    I love my cat. If I had to pick a best friend it would probably be her. I know it sounds weird, but it goes back to loyalty.

    I could be away for a whole summer, but she would never forget who I am. She does not hold grudges, and she makes any bad day brighter. I am a firm believer that because I love her, she loves me in return.

    Loyalty is a sense of friendship.

Beth and I years ago ... I'd like to think
I've become a bit more photogenic :)

    My friend Bethany and I have known each other since kindergarten. Even when we both changed schools, our friendship never wavered.   
This Easter vacation, I found out Beth’s mom has breast cancer and had surgery scheduled for this past Tuesday.

    Although the role reversal of this possibly being me and my mom of course crossed my mind and pushed me to be there for Beth, but my friendship with her really motivated me to be by her side.

    I made sure on Tuesday morning Beth knew I was praying for her and her family. I knew she would do the same if the situation had been reversed.

    Trust, love and friendship make up my definition of loyalty.

    Over the years, I have come to find that being trustworthy, loving and friendly to others shows them how loyal I am. And, usually, I receive those feelings in return.

    Actions truly do define loyalty.

    And look what those actions can do.

                 I have a family I can trust with anything and who can trust me in return.
                 I have a cat who I know will always have a wet nose and lots of love to give because of the love I have given her.
                 And I know Beth and I will always have each other because of our past 15 years of friendship.

                 Others might not define loyalty the way I do. But the concept remains the same – our actions define our loyalty.