A friend shared an article from the Huffington Post entitled “50 Eye-Opening Questions to Ask Your Grandchildren.” In reading the piece, I realized it could serve as inspiration for this childless 30-year-old. It would be a good exercise for me… for all of us. So here’s to a new series of questions. I’m going to pick my favorites and share over the coming months. May you also be inspired to reflect deeply on your own answers.
Question: How do you show someone that you love them?
When my oldest brother was 18 and preparing to graduate from high school, I was 11 and grappling with my first big daily life change—preparing to have one less person in the household. Because my brother is a good person with good friends, I was always invited into video game tournaments and Super Bowl viewing parties in the basement and, as such, felt close to his friends.
I spent the weeks leading up to their high school graduation meticulously writing and illustrating comic strips—almost always featuring anthropomorphic animals—and then made copies of the original and upon their graduations, gave them each a homemade comic book. I think this was my child’s answer to showing love.
As an adult, I think it’s maybe even simpler. I stay present. I listen. I don’t have a simple singular way that I show love because I’ve come to realize that everyone needs to be loved differently.
This friend needs someone to listen. This friend needs someone to “ride at dawn.” This friend adores flowers. This friend hates them. They want a hug. They hate being touched.
Loving is knowing.
Loving is knowing there is no right way to do it. Loving is knowing you’ll get it wrong sometimes. Loving is being unafraid to course correct. Loving is trying again.
How are you showing love this week? What is your favorite way to show love? What is your favorite way to receive love? How can you do more of both?
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