I had the best dream last night. There were three men in my dream. My husband was one. It was wonderful to see and talk with him. I have noticed in the past few nights when I dream about Ole that he comes in a disguise. But I always know it was him when I wake up. I love dreaming about him.

The other two men were lovers from my past. They were wonderful men. Full of life and everything that comes with it. Both of them always held a special place in my heart.

I did love them but the difference between them and my husband was that I was IN LOVE with my husband. I wanted to spend every moment of every day with Ole and more. The other two…yes I loved them but was not ‘in love’ with them.

People get so whacked out of shape about saying ‘I love you’. I tell the people at the 24/7 care facility where I work ’I love you’ and hug them all the time. Maybe they don’t actually understand the meaning of the words but they understand the feeling behind them.

And most of the people I work with don’t like that I tell them this and hug them. They say we are not their family or friends. We are there to help them with their daily lives.

My colleagues are right. I am not family or, by definition, a friend.

But I tell them because it is important for everyone to feel the love that comes through by saying those 3 little words. It is important because it make the receiver feel special and cared for and that they matter to someone.

Again, maybe they don’t understand the actual meaning but they can FEEL what is being said. Their faces light up and they smile the biggest smiles. They hug me and the love comes right back.  

Am I IN LOVE with them? No. But they hold a very special place in my heart and will forever, even after I’m not there to hug them and tell them ‘I love you’. Isn’t being loved part of helping someone through the day?

Do you understand what I am saying? Be bold today and tell someone you love them. Even if it shocks them, do it anyway. Then hug them and let them know they hold a special place in your heart.

EVERYONE needs to be loved. People are happier. People are healthier. Scientific facts! The more hugs a person receives the happier and healthier they are. This goes for all people no matter their level of understanding, age or status in life.  

Tell a special someone you love them and see their face light up.

I love YOU!

Passionate regards….Brenda

My dear sister-in-law sent me an email the other day. I don’t know where the story came from or who wrote it but I thought it definitely deserved to be passed on.

‘Danielle keeps repeating it over and over again. We’ve been back to this animal shelter at least five times. It has been weeks now, since we started all of this,’ the mother told the volunteer.

‘What is it she keeps asking for?’ the volunteer asked.

‘PUPPY SIZE!’ replied the mother.

‘Well we have plenty of puppies if that is what she is looking for.’

‘I know. We have seen most of them,’ the mom said in frustration.

Just then Danielle came walking into the office.

‘Well did you find one?’ asked her mother.

‘No,not this time,’ Danielle said with sadnesss in her voice. ‘Can we come back on the weekend?’

The two women looked at each other, shook their heads and laughed.

‘You never know when we will get more dogs. Unfortunately there is always a supply,’ the volunteer said.

Danielle took her mother by the hand and headed to the door. ‘Don’t worry, I will find one this weekend,’ Danielle said.

Over the next few days both Mom and Dad had long conversations with her. They both felt she was being too particular. ‘It’s this weekend or we’re not looking anymore,’ Dad finally said in frustration.

‘We don’t want to hear anything more about puppy size either,’ Mom added.

Sure enough, they were the first ones at the shelter on Saturday morning. By now Danielle knew her way around, so she went right for the section that housed the smaller dogs.

Tired of the routine, Mom sat in the small waiting room at the end of the first row of cages. There was an observation window so you could see the animals during times when visitors weren’t permitted.

Danielle walked slowly from cage to cage, kneeling periodically to take a closer look. One by one the dogs were brought out and she held each one. One by one she said, ‘Sorry but you’re not the one.’

It was the last cage on the last day in search for the perfect pup. The volunteer opened the cage door and the child carefully picked up the dog and held it close. This time she took a little longer.

‘Mom! I found him! I just know he is the one! I know it!’ she screamed with joy. ‘It’s the puppy size!’

‘But it’s the same size of all the other puppies you held over the last few weeks,’ Mom said.

‘No not size…SIGHS. When I held him in my arms, he sighed,’ she said. ‘Don’t you remember? When I asked you one day what love is, you told me love depends on the sighs of your heart. The more you love, the bigger the sigh!’

The two women looked at each other for a moment. Mom didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. As she stooped down to hug the child, she did a little of both.

‘Mom, every time you hold me, I sigh. When you and Daddy come home from work and hug each other, you both sigh. I knew I would find the right puppy if it sighed when I held it in my arms,’ she said. Then, holding the puppy up close to her face, she said, ‘Mom. I KNOW he loves me. I heard the sighs of his heart.’

If anyone knows who wrote this I would be so grateful to know and put a name to this wonderful story.

For now, just think about the love-lessons you learned from a child.

Passionate regards….Brenda