by Melody Hearndon

Created on: November 24, 2009

The three most important words in any language are I love you. When we speak those words to loved ones, family and friends we are validating the importance of what they mean to us as individuals. When a parent speaks these words to their children, they are providing them with a sense of security, self-esteem and teaching them the importance of self-respect. You know when you are loved and unfortunately, you know when you are not loved.

As we navigate the world and it's cruelty, we are forever in harms way by the inescapable negative side of those in society that fail to grasp loves meaning and value. From the moment we are born, we seek affection and comfort immediately. We don't remember that first time we are held as new born babies, but we remember when we no longer feel loved as human beings. Why is that?

There are those that love deeply, yet don't have the capacity to express it. Perhaps they were raised in a different time and environment when one didn't display emotions because it was thought to show weakness. They knew they were loved by their parents, yet they pass on the tradition of silence when it comes to emotions and all that goes with that.

As a parent, we can never tell our children enough that they are loved. Moments come and go time and time again. They need to know they are loved even well into their own later years. My grandmother was 89 when she passed away, and she was not fond of showing affection whether it was a hug, or the spoken words... I love you. It was an unnatural expression for her.

When she was diagnosed with Alzheimer's a change took place in her whole demeanor. Perhaps she was able to reflect on pass events in her life where she failed as a mother to make known her real feelings, but there wasn't a day that passed when she didn't speak of how she loved my mother. My mother never heard the words as a child. Imagine if you will how that would feel at 68?

The relationship was transformed in an instant. Peace replaced anger and love filled in where bitterness once resided. In spite of our best intentions as humans, we can fail the ones we love the most just by remaining silent when silence is so damaging and painful. We are not here indefinitely, yet an attitude exists amongst some that feel as though they are.

Love should not be used a reward or punishment. It should flow freely out of our hearts so that it can be returned as well. If you close your heart to love others because you fear getting hurt, then how is love going to

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