Have I Told You I Love You?

 

 

             Have I told you I love you?

         Maybe I did and you did not know what I meant.

If that is the case than I am partly to blame.
Communication requires a commitment to repetition and   

     clarity.
So.
Let me say it in another way.
Your happiness is important to me.

Nothing can change that. 

When the world judges you, a friend I will be. 

Your future is more important to me.

Forgive yourself for being imperfect, inconsistent, 

     hypocritical, or foolish at times. 

For these are human tendencies. 

Loving you beyond what I may not want to hear or see, 

     you can always - despite man-made restrictions - talk to 

     me. 

If you need someone to listen, tell me not to talk back. You'll hear, "I'm here," concluded with, "I got your back." 

Keeping count of who did what for who has never been 

     important to me. 

And, honestly, staying in touch isn't even necessary. 

Ask for help without feeling guilty. 

Love was…is…radically revolutionary. 

Its message: you don't have to be“deserving” for you to 

     matter to me. 

I get busy. 

I may need reminding.
But never forget: you’re a priority. 

If I haven’t told you lately, I’m telling you now. 

And if you know not what I mean, I will tell you… again… 

     the best way I know how.

                                                                                                                                         

                                                                                             --Kaloma




This was written to honor a former teammate who took his own life on Good Friday. We had not talked in years but that didn't matter. His decision and absence touched me deeply. 

We often don't know when "I love you" isn't enough until it's too late. Part of the problem is that the words "I love you" many times isn't enough. It means different things, to different people, in different circumstances. We need to say more. We need to accept the challenge of loving more and I don't mean loving more people. I mean loving the people we are supposed to love, the people we claim to love, and the people who need love the most, more. If we do so, lives will be saved. If we do not, suicide - whether it's in a moment or over an extended period of self-destructive behavior -- will continue. I'm not sure if my friend heard "I love you" recently or not. I do know he needed to hear more than those words and I'm sure there is someone very close to you who does also. 

So, forget the question, "Have I told you I love you lately?" Ask yourself, "How did I say it the last time that I did?" And, "How will I say it the next time that I choose to?"

Be blessed.

--Kaloma