by Rebecca Renaud

Created on: October 27, 2009   Last Updated: October 28, 2009

No, you can never say "I love you" too much - IF - you really mean it.

If you are saying "I love you" to anyone at anytime to get what you want - then YES it is not real and you are using words that should NEVER be used in that way.

But if you are saying "I LOVE YOU" to your family and friends that you truly do care about and love - then no - everyone likes to hear "I love you" it makes them feel good and it makes you feel good.

I lost my 17 year old daughter to a terrible car accident in November of 2008 - and I am so glad that I don't have the gloom of not knowing if she realized I loved her hanging over my head. She knew without a doubt that I loved her, that my husband (her step-dad) loved her and that her older sister (no matter how different they were and how much they bickered) loved her IMMENSELY and that we would do anything for her - and We had the great pleasure of knowing that she loved us.

Mandy was one of those girls that could walk into a room and light up the room with her smile! She made people feel welcomed and loved without having to say a word.

She had over 800 people attend her Celebration of Life ceremony - that's a lot of love for someone so young.

My daughter Amber's world was rocked by this loss - I am so glad that she traveled home from College unexpectedly that Saturday and that we spent a wonderful day the three of us together - feeling and knowing and saying that we loved one another! And since Mandy also expressed her love for her sister Amber has the comfort of knowing that Mandy loved her unconditionally for who she is. What an amazing gift from one sister to another.

The realization that those around us can be gone in a fleeting moment, without any warning should give us the reason that saying "I love you" can never be done to much.... how much pain and heartache to have a loved one lost after a fight, or after too long without any contact - assuming that the other person "KNOWS" you love them won't give you comfort in that time... KNOWING you said "I love you" meaningfully and often along with showing it in other ways is what brings peace and comfort when you need it the most.

Please - take the time right now to pick up the phone, pick up a pen and paper, walk into the other room - and tell the people you love - just that!

Amber wrote an amazing poem back in 2005 - we had no idea that it would be so appropriate just a few short years later...

Unanswered

Do you know who you are?

What are you made of?

Where have you been, where are you going?

Is he calling you home?

If you could, would you have changed it,

Or would you still have pressed on?

Do you realize your impact?

Can you hear me now?

If you can, are you smiling?

What if I had an answer for every question?

I am so glad she didn't feel the need to add the question - "Did you know that I loved you?"

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