2013 – 7th Grade National 3rd Place Winner

Gracie Hansen, Minnesota.

Which is more powerful, love or hate?

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love." -Mother Teresa

To choose between love and hate is extremely hard. It's hard because they both are extremely powerful words and feelings that exist side by side. They have multiple meanings, they are all right and none are wrong. While love keeps people together, hate keeps people apart. Songs are written about them, poems too, and people constantly think about them. One of the major differences is what they stand for and while it's different for all people, they are connected by love or hate.

I've looked up to my grandparents all my life. They have something that many people crave; strive for; dream about. They have been together for 57 faithful years and that number will only keep growing. Their bond has been reinforced by a strong amount of love. They have gone through extremely tough times together. Like raising 7 children, keeping up and selling a second home, and living through the Great Depression. Their marriage reminds me of the book "Where the Red Fern Grows" because when one dies the other can't live without them. I will always believe, because of them and their 57 years that love is more powerful.

I know that love has caused the butterflies that visit your stomach, the heated red glow that burns upon your cheeks, and the feelings you believe are forever but only last a while. It makes life different every day because it's both wonderful and frightening. I can tell you clear and strong that hate represents an end while love is hope for a better future. Most people have a reason for hate; there is no need for a reason to love.

It's funny how I can search the web and find just 1 site with 15,000+ quotes on love. It makes you realize that love has been around for a long time and it will always be there. You realize that love will always have multiple meanings, keeping people together, standing for different things, and have songs and poems written about it. But then so will hate, but it will separate people not keep them together and when people write about hate, it won't be because of how wonderful hate is.

 

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