Absence Makes The Heart Grow . . . Fainter

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

That little gem of wisdom has been around for eons, and still has the ring of truth to it. But, as with all things, too much of a good thing is, well, not good.

First, let's examine the truth of the saying. Scientific study has given credence to our little ditty above mentioned; absence does in fact make the heart grow fonder. When an object of desire is removed from our reach, we desire it all the more. We've all experienced this, whether it be time away from a spouse, child or friend, or perhaps the longing of Summer during the cold grip of Winter. Taken away from that which we long to hold close, we yearn ever so strongly to have it returned.

Until time takes its toll.

When said desire is taken from us too far, too long, too often, we begin to replace it. This is our nature, our way; when it comes to fulfilling desires of the heart, our attention span quickly wanes. Our hearts, our desires will be fulfilled, if not with that which we originally sought, then with something else. Nature, and the human psyche, abhor a vacuum. The voids within us labeled as desires will be filled, one way or another.

This is all to say that while temporary absence makes the heart grow fonder, prolonged absence leads the longing of the heart to grow faint. Stories of long-lost lovers notwithstanding, long distance relationships face an uphill battle. And distance need not be measured by miles.

Whether it be in your relationship with your spouse, child, family, friends, or God--take pains to keep your absences short. The resulting emptiness, if too long unattended, will surely be drifted over by something else. And rarely are replacement parts as good as the original.