We all need to be loved

Add comment July 8th, 2009

I have a greeting card from the “Kid Quotes” series with these words of wisdom from a 5-year-old: When you love somebody, you’re supposed to tell them.

Stevie Wonder has me thinking about that. During the MJ memorial, Stevie commented that he loved Michael and that Michael knew it because he told him often. Stevie added, “So I am at peace.”

We say, “I love you” for the recipient of our love to know it; and we say it simply because we need to express it. We need to be at peace. Too often, love goes unexpressed.  And if our loved one is suddenly gone, we too often lament if we showed our love during the living years.

I’m not talking about public displays of affection (however, I have no problem with PDA. Life is short. If you want to steal a kiss from your sweetie in the grocery store, I say do it. ) I’m talking a simple declaration. Spouse, children, parents, friends, family. Show your love. Live with an unabashed sense of life is short and there is no harm in telling someone how you feel.

If this is a romantic love and your beloved does not give the reply you longed for, yes, it can be painful. I also think it is better to know than to carry an unrequited torch. There is always the chance that your announcement will be reciprocated.

The only thing holding us back is our pride. And maybe the three little words are too big. Perhaps you can try, “You are loved.”

We never know when the opportunity will be our last. And when we are at the memorial for our friend/spouse/parent/child/family member, we want them to know that they were loved. We also want to be at peace. Take it from five year old Jaden Young, when you love somebody, you’re supposed to tell them.