A Kind, Thoughtful Word
Recently a friend of mine lost his father, suddenly and without warning. My friend’s sorrow was not only at his father’s passing, but also because it had been a long time since he had told his father how much he thought of him.
When was the last time you told someone close to you, “I love you,” or ”I’m grateful for all you do”?
We all need to be encouraged, appreciated, rewarded in life; and one of the most simple and pleasing rewards we can give or receive is a kind, thoughtful word.
Think back to the last time someone came up to you and, without particular reason, told you how much he admired you, or appreciated what you did, or merely offered a simple and sincere compliment. Remember how it brightened your whole day?
Too often, perhaps, we feel we need special occasions to say special things. We only tell Mother we love her on Mother’s Day, Father is a great guy only on Father’s Day and his birthday, students are congratulated only when they win an award or graduate, and children are told they’re loved only when they are good; yet they need love most when they are not so good.
To be wanted, to be loved, to be appreciated is a basic human need; but the times we tell people they are wanted, loved, and appreciated are too few and far between.
My friend’s father had just been out on a “date” with his “bride” of many years. They had been to dinner and were driving home. He had barely told his wife how much he loved her and how grateful he was for their life together when he, unexpectedly, collapsed in her lap and died. Surely that dear wife is grateful today that her husband took a moment to express his feelings and didn’t wait for a special occasion to do so.
That does not mean that we should ignore special occasions. Mother likes to be loved and appreciated on Mother’s Day also – in fact, would be disappointed if she wasn’t. But, to do the usual, the expected, is easy. To do the unusual, the unexpected, requires special thought; but the happy result is a meaningful and a lasting remembrance.
May 14, 1972
Broadcast Number 2,225