I have always appreciated the break that Valentines Day brings in the middle of an often too-long winters. It is nice to pull out some crafts, paper and glue, and bake some heart-themed treats. But, I love that this holiday also gives us the opportunity to let those we love know of our feelings for them. Nothing fancy is required. A simple "I love you" can go a long way in reinforcing our love for a person or mending past hurt feelings. President Monson recently wrote in a 2008 Ensign article Joy in the Journey, "
Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love." We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.
Send that note to the friend you’ve been neglecting; give your child a hug; give your parents a hug; say “I love you” more; always express your thanks. Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved. Friends move away, children grow up, loved ones pass on. It’s so easy to take others for granted, until that day when they’re gone from our lives and we are left with feelings of “what if” and “if only.” Said author Harriet Beecher Stowe, “The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."
I hope that we can all enjoy Valentines Day this year and reach out to those around us.
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