Dear Judson, When I get home from work we will play together. – Daddy
I wrote this short note for our oldest son who was 3 at the time. Marie, my wife, read the note to Judson. “But Mommy, he didn’t say love, Daddy.” One word left out. Yet it meant everything to Judson.
Approximately 20 years later, Judson’s oldest son Brandon and his brother Brian would spend part of the weekend with us. Every week I would make sure I told both Brandon and Brian “I love you.” Often, Brandon would say, “Oh Grandpa, you always say that.” Nodding my head I would respond, “I do because I love you. “ Sometimes later in the day, I would add, “Have I told you I love you? Grandpa is getting older and sometimes he forgets. Just in case I will say it again.”
Over time, Brandon accepted my words of love. Today he is married, has a great career, and expecting their first child. Often Brandon says “I love you” first. “
Some day after we have mastered the winds, the tides, and gravity we shall harness the energy of love. Then, for the second in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire.
~ Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
