There were dark clouds rolling in from the northwest that held the promise of rain, and I am one of those people who happens to enjoy the rain. As I watched the clouds gathering, my thoughts again turned to my children. I was sipping the tea by now, but not sure if the warmth I was feeling was the result of the hot liquid, or my love for my family. I only knew that I had an overwhelming desire to let them know how very much I loved each and every one of them.

They were in school, so I had several hours to put my plans together. I went to the store and bought balloons, construction paper, crepe paper streamers, and various food items. Back at home, I baked a double heart cake, frosted and decorated it, then set it aside. Each of the kids had a favorite food or menu item, and I began to prepare each one's favorite for dinner. While the meal was cooking, I cut a large heart out of red construction paper and wrote: "Welcome home. Come on in. The "I Love You" 's will now begin." (This was later taped to the front door) I took more construction paper and cut out daisy-like flowers. On the "flowers" I wrote a special poem about each of my children. These were taped to the livingroom walls. I put the crepe paper streamers up in the livingroom, and dinning room. I then wrote positive things I liked about all of them on small pieces of paper and folded them so each would fit in a balloon. The balloons were blown up, tied, and hung around both rooms.

I finished everything just as the kids were due home, and grabbing another cup of tea, I took up watch by the window again. It wasn't long before I saw them coming up the street. They didn't notice me watching out the window as they stopped to read the red heart on the door, which they finally opened very slowly.

The look on their faces when they saw the decorations was priceless. It wasn't anyone's birthday, or a holiday, or any other reason one might give a party. They noticed the "flowers", and even though they were teen-agers at the time, they became children who were anxiously looking for their own flower. We played games, popped the balloons, read what was in them, ate our dinner, and had cake and ice cream for dessert. We also did a lot of hugging, and talking. The kids beamed as they all decided the "I Love You" party was a very special event.

I could see how much they enjoyed the surprise, but later learned how much it actually meant to them. Feedback from friends told me of the excitement they showed when telling others what happened. They not only felt my love that afternoon, but saw it as well. I accomplished what I had set out to do, but I was the one who was blessed more than I could ever imagine.

I once heard someone say, "Treat your guests like family, and your family like guests." Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could remember to do that everyday.

Susan Stevens
Copyright 1999

Chorus from "If Tomorrow Never Comes"
(paraphrased)

If tomorrow never comes
Will they know how much I loved them
Did I try in every way to show them every day
That they're my special ones
And if my time on earth were through
And they must face the world without me
Is the love I gave them in the past
Gonna be enough to last
If tomorrow never comes

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