I think the point of life is to love and be loved. And I believe that love is acceptance and abiding affection with countless different degrees.

One thing I don't buy is the idea of unconditional love. It sounds marvelous as a concept: absolute, abiding love. But people forget that love is generally conditional. Spouses and lovers love on the conditions of affection, fidelity, kindness and honesty from their partners. Children love when they're loved in return and treated well. When they're not, they often learn hate and resentment instead. Nearly all the types of love I can think of have conditions of some kind attached, and I think lots of people forget that fact. Seems to me conditional love is, in many ways, much more critical to our existence.