The thousand ways I say “I love you”
You know, kids, I was born in a different era. My family had very different values from ours, and different ways of doing things. While my parents were physically present and gave me everything I needed, they were not very affectionate. They seldom talked about their feelings. So, when I was little, I almost never heard them utter the words “I love you.”
I’m not resentful, but I do think that explains why those words don’t come naturally to me, either. I probably don’t tell you kids enough how much I love you. But that doesn’t change my deep, unconditional love for you. Even if I don’t say it enough, I express it every day in a thousand unspoken ways.
When I listen with curiosity and interest to your stories, questions, and sometimes rambling anecdotes about your friends, teachers, and favourite school subjects and activities, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I take the time to cook you a nutritious and delicious meal to keep you happy and healthy, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I share my ideas and projects with the local library or your school’s governing board to help improve your learning environment, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I explain the same safety rules to you for the millionth time as you nod and sigh in exasperation, then repeat them once more for good measure, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I take part in your class activities because I’m interested in what you’re learning and love seeing you interact with your classmates and teacher, and because I think it’s important to be involved in your daily life, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I pull your tuque down over your ears and zip your coat up to your chin to make sure you don’t get cold, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I show up for your performances, special activities, soccer games, and swimming classes and proudly watch you grow, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I insist on helping you with your homework despite your discouragement and disinterest because I want you to learn and progress at your own pace, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I play your favourite game, help you with arts and crafts, pretend to eat your plastic toy sandwich for the tenth time, and enthusiastically applaud your living room plays, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I read you a bedtime story every night to encourage a love of words and reading, spark your imagination, and enrich your vocabulary, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I take your hand and walk you to school in the morning, after making sure that your bag is packed and your lunchbox is full of food to keep you energized throughout the day, I’m saying, “I love you.”
When I take care of you when you’re sick or wait for hours at the clinic to make sure you see a doctor, I’m saying, “I love you.”
Kids, I might not say the words “I love you” very often, but please know that I express it every day, in a thousand unspoken ways.
