A few years ago, while traveling with the family between Maryland and Missouri, we passed a huge monument adjacent to I-70. Impossible to miss , a 198 ft tall cross near the highway. Being the curious type that I am, I investigated further as soon as I was within arm's reach of a computer. The cross was erected by the Cross Foundation , and the following was lifted directly from their crossusa.org website:
"The Cross Foundation is dedicated to building both faith and family on an ecumenical basis. The Cross Foundation has completed a 198 foot Cross at the intersection of Interstates 57 & 70 in Effingham, Illinois. This site is intended to serve as a beacon of hope to the 50,000 travelers estimated to pass the site each day. ...."
What really caught my attention was the "I Love You Card" program listed under the information link. Of specific note:
" Created and sponsored by The Cross Foundation, the "I Love You" Card program is designed to promote a tradition of language in the family home, which encourages feelings of comfort, acceptance and love between parent and child.
Whether by tradition or culture, many children never hear the words, "I Love you" from their parents. Yet, a recent study from Iowa State University indicated that children raised in a nurturing environment were more likely to have happier marriages in later life. The "I Love You" Card Program is the first step towards the creation of the nurturing home environment."
After reading that I was stunned. Kids not hearing the words "I love you" from their parents? Nonsense, couldn't possibly be true...... right??? Again my curious nature persisted. I queried friends and co-workers..... even asked them straight out if the words "I Love You" were a part of their regular life both when they were kids, or with their own kids. The results floored me. Nearly 30% of the people I spoke with said no. In one particularly extreme case, a co-worker mentioned that he did hear those words from his father , - only once-, when his father was on his deathbed. It was incredibly sad.
Now I don't consider myself to be a particularly naive person, but this truly caught me off guard. I grew up in a home where those words were exchanged regularly, and they are exchanged regularly in our home. I truly thought EVERY household was like that. Boy was I wrong.
Anyway, ....... go hunt up your kids, parents and significant persons in your life. Tell them you love them. There is every reason to let them know, and NO good reason not to.
Oh, and by the way. I love -YOU- too.
Hey, that's just the kind of guy I am......compliments of my parents.