James Olds
I am an ardent student of American history, as a matter of fact, that most colonists came here chasing a dream or more strongly we came chasing the essence of love, either in search of or escape from. This, then begs a closer examination of what this term 'love' truly is. If we take the Biblical description of 'love', which is probably what most colonists had for reference, then we find Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). Or as Shakespeare wrote, closer to the colonists time frame, in Sonnet 18 'Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? Thou art more lovely and more temperate: So long as men can breathe or eyes can see, So long lives this, and this gives life to thee.' Whatsoever your definition, it can find basis in one of these. As for me, I stick to more of the Biblical sense of the term. The true issue here is that very little is accomplished without love, a most necessary term that is not discussed enough, especially in today’s writings. I chose to write about this subject in the terms of John White, leader of the ’Lost Colony’. Certainly leaving behind his only daughter and grandchild, Virginia. Why, one may ask, because I believe that this is an issue of love, on our own shores that has not been truly explored or examined. If we understand the concept of love, as addressed above, or by some other definition, why would White make such a decision?
