I published this post in September of 2015. A few days ago there was a school massacre in Florida where 17 adults and children were killed. My sister sent me a text a few days later telling me about a distraught father who was speaking at a vigil for the victims of the shooting, one was his 14 year old daughter, and he said he couldn't remember if he told his daughter he loved her as she ran out the door for school that morning. My sister said she thought of me and the speeches I made at my Daughter and Son's weddings about this subject. So, I thought I would just publish it again to reinforce saying the three most powerful words that we can speak or hear.
These three simple words are used so often in this world that sometimes we don`t really think about what they really mean and how powerful they are. I was reminded of their power a week ago, by of all people, my real estate agent. Odd, I know. Here is what happened.
Once again we hit a real estate snag causing us to look at more houses in Texas. My agent and I went out alone and while we were in one of the homes my husband called. I talked to him for a few minute and as I was saying good-bye, as always I said, "I Love You"! My agent heard me and said that was so sweet. I told her that we never hang up without saying "I Love You" to each other. Then I told her the story about why.
A very old picture of my Loving family. I am the one in the pigtails.
When I was growing up my parents and siblings have always said "I Love You" to each other. We said it when leaving each other, or when talking on the phone. We have done this for as long as I can remember. I lost my Mom this year and I found a voicemail she sent me for my Birthday, and at the end she says, "I Love You". I love to listen to the recording and it never gets old hearing her say those three words to me. This has carried over into my family. My husband and kids always say, "I Love You" when leaving each other, before hanging up the phone, and now even when ending a text thread. For over 35 years my husband has kissed me good bye in the morning and we ALWAYS say "I Love You" to each other. There have been mornings when he has left for work while I was still sleeping, and after he leaves I could not remember if we said it. I call him sometimes before he even gets out of the garage. He always assures me that we have said it, but I was not quite awake, so I just didn't remember.
This is my favorite Picture of me and my Mom. I miss her everyday.
A few weeks ago I dropped my grandson off at school and was afraid to kiss him good-bye and tell him I loved him because he was having a bit of a problem separating from me at drop offs. So, this once I sneaked out and left without tears. The only problem was it bothered me all day that I didn`t kiss him and say "I Love You". Now, we say our good byes while we are getting out of the car and he gets a few minutes to get adjusted as we are going in the building. But there is nothing better in this world than to hear those words from the sweetest grandchild ever!!!
Our children always say "I Love You" to us and to each other. My sons would say it to us even when they were in a car full of their friends. Our youngest, the hockey player, always kisses us and says, "I Love You" when we are leaving after his games. He does this in front of all this college teammates and he doesn't even think twice about doing it. It is funny when I am texting with my kids and I end the thread with "I Love You", I wait a few seconds and hear the text tone. The text is always, "I love you too"! We ALWAYS say it no matter where we are, what we are doing, or who we are with.
Number 21 is our son, and I am sure he is not using the word Love in his comments to the player laying in front of him from the other team.
My sweet Pop! I miss him so very much.
Back to the story I told my agent. Five years ago my Dad was in the hospital with a minor throat irritation (Thrush). I was living in Indianapolis and he was in Ohio. I got updates all the time from my siblings on his recovery, and after a few days I got an urgent call that he was going to be put on a respirator in an hour. I lived 3 hours away and there was no way I was going to be able to see him before that happened. He was put on the respirator and within about 5 days, we had to take him off the respirator and let him pass. I never saw him awake, or was able to talk to him before he passed. I was devastated. Then, my sister said something to me that changed everything. She said, You know that the last words you two ever spoke were "I Love You". And she was right. The last words we said to each other were not harsh, funny, sad, or unimportant, they were the most meaningful words two people can say to each other. I Love You!
One of my daughters engagement pictures.
I then told my agent that those are the last words I want my husband or kids to hear from me, or hear from each other. You never know if they are going to be the last words you ever speak, or hear. When my daughter was married a few years ago, I made a toast that included the story about my Dad and I reminded them that they should always say "I Love You" when leaving each other. My agent was tearing up and said that she was going to start that same tradition in her family.
We were at a showing yesterday and my agent said, "Our last conversation about saying "I Love You" was so touching I now make sure I tell my husband "I Love You" every time we part.
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