knowledge that someone regards them as unique and irreplaceable, and depends on them. The obvious examples of this other person are wife, parent, child.

But merely to demand knowledge as the price of doing something, can hardly be described as creative or satisfying. Is it fair therefore to suggest that the love of ordinary men and women is confined to this? Clearly not. If it was correct to suggest that a man cannot retain beliefs for long, unless they are daily put into practice and confirmed by experience, then a man would not retain the knowledge that another person loved him, and regarded him as unique and irreplaceable, for long, unless it were possible to put love into practice daily, unless the creativeness of love could be expressed daily. Because if love is not practised daily, the belief that love is worthwhile, and is the thing that gives life its meaning, slips away. As it slips away, the sure knowledge that someone else loves you crumbles into the dust of meaninglessness. The knowledge no longer brings satisfaction, although the knowledge may still be there.

The usual means by which most people try to put love into practice daily is in creating a home. This is their little kingdom of Heaven on Earth. They may succeed well; they may succeed not so well; but this is where they try.