Tuesday, July 28, 2009

A Lesson for Today...
Say the Words


I woke up this morning as I often do on a normal, nothing-much-planned, Tuesday morning in the Summertime (meaning, the kids--except McKenna, who has color guard camp all week long--were still sound asleep at 9 a.m.). I grabbed a glass of iced sweet tea (the true "coffee" of the South), took a quick shower, and sat down in front of the computer for my ritualistic morning email check.

When I saw a message with the subject line "Good Morning" from Gary, I figured he was emailing me to tell me what his schedule was like for the day (he's out of town on business) or to possibly get on to me about not doing something I needed to do (i.e: let him know about any checking account transactions I did yesterday; I admit it, I'm not the queen of financial matters!).

Imagine the sweet sensation I felt when I opened up the email and it simply said: "I love you!" (with the fun little information that the email was sent via his Blackberry).

I got a nice little warm tingly feeling and knew that all was right with the world. For I am loved by someone who tells me I am loved.

Which brings me to another little encounter with special words recently.

One of my very favorite teenagers in the whole wide world (aside from the two who live in my home and eat all my snacks!) posted a note on her Facebook page the other day in which she told her different best friends why she loved them. I thought it was such a self-actualized, "I'm comfortable with who I am" sort of thing to do, because (really!) how often do teenagers (or any of us!) really let the people around us know how we feel.

And then I felt incredibly blessed because she had listed me (the lone adult!) and told me why she loved me. She said I was understanding and treated her with respect and all sorts of other sweet things.

What a wonderful way my heart and life was lifted from her simple action of putting some words together!

Which takes me from my lesson for today to a challenge for today:

If we feel love (or compassion, or empathy, or regret, or any sort of emotion) for someone, we need to take advantage of the opportunity today to tell him or her about it. Today is the best day for words...because, truly, what is a good reason for waiting to share your love with someone?


So...

* Say, "I love you" to someone you love but often forget to tell (because, for some reason, isn't it the people closest to us that we love the most that we tell the least?).

* Tell someone that you appreciate them. (I'll never forget the time that Gary decided to write a letter to the older lady who had served as his Boy Scout den mother when he was a little boy. He just wanted to tell her how special she had been to him and how he appreciated what she had done. It can be something as simple as that. Or something even simpler like writing a thank you note, or telling a friend that you love them for listening to you.)

Life is short (I am truly being reminded of this many times this week, as I register McKenna for her senior year and realize how quickly things go by), so we need to take the time to say "I love you."

Simplistic? Perhaps. But true? Absolutely!

17 comments:

Daisy said...

I really like your blog. It is very inspiring.

Gin said...

Absolutely is right!

Lynilu said...

It's interesting to read this, because I recently made a decision and I'm texting my kids and grandkids regularly, several times a week, saying simply "I love you."

Edleen said...

so sweet of Gary!

have more wonderful days ahead Cheryl :)

Adrienne said...

awwwwwww i love it!

Stephenie said...

I love you Otra Mommy! Know why? Cause you're my Otra Mommy! You took me in as your own :] I love watchin Football with you and dancin around the house listening to Queen! "I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike! I want my bicylce, I want to ride it where I like!" Haha Good Times.

Laura said...

Great post, Cheryl!

Carpool Queen said...

Thanks for stopping by the blog - I got a similar sweet note from my husband today as well (sent from his Blackberry all the way down in Argentina - I love technology).

Anonymous said...

This was just beautiful Cheryl. You always have such a way of saying things.

by the way, I loved the pictures on your last post. (I cant remember if I commented already about them. Haha.)

Marg

Marjolein said...

Cheryl... you've got a way with words! Thanks...

Gretchen said...

I appreciate your blog, Cheryl, and have been reading it without fail for probably over 2 years. You inspire me with your wit, and your passion for your family and your life. Big hugs.

Great post.

Cheryl Wray said...

Daisy--Thanks! I'm so glad you've found me.

Gin-- :-)

Lynilu--Well, how COOL is that? I love it when things work together like that, as if you're getting the message that you're on the right track.

Ed--Thanks!

Cheryl Wray said...

Adrienne-- :-)

Steph--If you want someone to watch football and crazily sing Queen songs with, I'm the Mom for the job! LOL

Laura--Thanks!

Carpool--How sweet is that?! (And so glad you popped by!)

Marg--Thanks! I'm not sure if you've commented already or not. :-)

Marjolein--Thanks!

Gretchen--Back at ya! You are one of the most inspiring people I know. :-)

Mississippi Songbird said...

I really needed this today.. Thanks for reminding me.. Bunches of hugs.I hope you are enjoying the summer. We start back to school August 5th.. Way too soon!

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Stephenie said...

I agree :] You're the best!

Cheryl Wray said...

Songbird--It's SO good to see you. I haven't seen you around in a while. (That IS early for school to start. We start the 12th, which is still too early for me!)

Steph-- :-)