I discovered this poem on the internet some years ago.  I have kept it with me, because it is, to me, the best definition of unconditional love I have seen.  If any one knows who the author is, please advise, so that I can give the proper credit.

What is unconditional love?

  It strikes me as this,

  The ability to always accept

  Loved ones as individual

  Human beings, human beings with

  Singular dispositions and traits

  That may waver at times,

  Depending upon personal circumstances,

  But doesn’t make that person

  Harmful, evil or bad, just human.
 

What is NOT unconditional love?

  Being automatically used in disguise,

  Taken for granted and advantage of,

  And constantly accepting and denying

  Mistreatment as isolated incidents,

  Or continually letting and forgiving someone

  For always doing me wrong

  Because they NEVER change their ways

  Does not constitute the grounds

  Of unconditional love in my eyes.
 

Unconditional love to me,

  Is the ability to differentiate

  Between when a person’s

  Contrary actions directed towards me

  Are honestly or intentionally abnormal,

  And accepting my dear beings

  At their best, lovable dispositions,

  During their dark, depressing moments,

  And throughout their mood swings,

  Because these changes happen at times.

  Sometimes it’s the hardest thing,

  To stand and deal with someone,

  When it seems like they are

  Depending upon or burdening you purposely

  Because they are hopelessly frustrated

  With their own personal issues,

  But the way to tell if

  Someone is genuinely relying on me

  Is by knowing them well

  And understanding who they are.
 

A bond that is severed,

  Is one that never existed.

  To err and to fluctuate dispositions,

  Is natural and is human.

  To embody and practice unconditional love,

  Is to know which persons

  This is appropriate to apply to

  And treat them as such,

  Realizing who they themselves are

  As human beings and individuals.
 

A hard lesson to learn

  Is sometimes when people say

  Things that hurt or insult

  Me at that particular time

  Is to not take it personally

  Based on their current demeanor

  Or attitude from whatever trial

  And tribulation they’re going through

  Because they may not mean it

  At that particular time.
 

The sidewalk isn’t always dry,

  But when it occasionally gets slippery,

  That doesn’t change its underlying structure.

  A person may experience some strife

  Which can temporarily transform them

  Into non-desirable, annoying creatures,

  But when we realize they’re human,

  And understand them as individuals,

  We’ll know they aren’t harming us

  And we can show them unconditional love.