You wrote, “I love you,” in a message to me, Three little words I'd longed to hear. For 17 years I would have loved to hear them more, But so much has changed this past year. Now those words are impossible for me to trust, Though I wish I could believe they're true. The thing is, love is more than something spoken It's shown in the things we choose to do. She rarely said straight out, “I love you” to you, Instead she'd say “Love ya!” to keep it light. She wanted to say it full on—“I love you!” But giving you that space felt right. Then she'd tell you all the ways you were amazing, “I believe in you!” was something you'd often hear. And she backed those words with showing up, Year after year after year after year. She didn't just say it, She lived it every day. In the time she gave, the things she did, In a hundred different ways. She wasn't keeping score, She was loving you. And all those years of showing up Were her “I love you! She never counted all the ball games, The school programs, birthdays, too. The cards, gifts, celebrations, helping hands, Always showing up for you She wasn't keeping a record, Or making lists of all she'd done. It wasn't till you said it wasn't love That she began to count a single one. She went to funerals for people she didn't know Because she wanted me there for all of you. I wouldn't go unless she was beside me, So being there was supporting you, too. She gave her time, work, money, resources, Helped build the dreams you wanted to pursue. Not because she owed you, or wanted to own you, But because that's what love would do. On the other hand- You and your siblings excluded me from family gatherings, Birthdays, missions, endowments, weddings, too. You made accusations and kept grandkids away. You shouted things I never thought I'd hear from you. You personally brought the county to our door, You and Erick brought out CC&Rs you'd hidden from us. You all completely shut me out of your lives, With no real attempt to repair the broken trust. You could have shown your love for me By accepting my wife. Even if you believed she'd wronged you, You could have chosen grace instead of strife. Instead, you left me out completely, As though I just didn't matter anymore. And now you say, “I love you,” But where was that love in the year before? Love is a verb, not just a feeling, Not three little words we choose to say. It's found in how we treat each other, In the choices that we make each day. You can say the words, but they lose their meaning, When your actions don't support what you say. And after everything that's happened How can I possibly believe your words today? She didn't just say it, She lived it every day. In the time she gave, the things she did, In a hundred different ways. She wasn't keeping score, She was loving you. And all those years of showing up Were her “I LOVE YOU! Look back at all the years behind us Her actions show she was loving you all along. You finally told me, “I love you,” A message I'd hoped all year to hear. But love is is a verb, not just a noun. It's the choices we make year after year. Her actions showed her love for you. What do your actions say?
