I traveled to Northeast Arkansas last week to visit my family while the kids were at camp and Ben was at work. I also visited two boutiques that I love and are a must when I’m in town. When I got home on Tuesday, I emptied my shopping bags turning them over so that everything fell out on the kitchen table. As I sorted through my purchases and receipts, I turned over a small piece of paper and was shocked to see this written in marker: “LOVED.” I don’t know which young woman in what boutique slipped this in with my purchases, but the message and the fact that it was in the bag stopped me in my tracks. 

I’d told several of my friends that I was going to Arkansas. Some of them know that I don’t love driving the eight hours by myself, so I usually break up the trip into two days. All of them knew that my dad is struggling with the effects of Parkinson’s disease and that I was going with he and my mom to a doctor’s appointment. They understood that the trip could be emotionally difficult for me. Over the course of the week, I received numerous texts from each of them. “When are you leaving for AR? Be safe. Tell your mom I said hi.” “Safe travels and will be thinking of you.” “Did you make it ok?” “Praying.” “How did today’s doctor’s appointment go?” “Keeping you and your parents in my prayers.” “Know that you (and your family) are loved beyond measure.” 

Loved. Just like the tag from the store said. I felt covered in love by my friends the entire time I was away from home. Their acts of checking in on me, their messages of love and support, meant the world to me. I felt buoyed by their love because they thought of me and took time to reach out. Letting me know that I was on their minds and in their prayers was exactly what I needed. 

On part of my drive home, I listened to an audio of Brené Brown teaching a class on “The Power of Vulnerability.” One of her famous quotes is “When you get to a place where you understand that love and belonging, your worthiness, is a birthright and not something you have to earn, anything is possible.” We all need to be reminded that we deserve love and belonging, not because of what we produce or what we do for a living or how much money we have, but simply because we exist. We need reminders though that we are worthy of love and belonging. Reminders, like texts, may be all it takes to let someone know that you love them. I know for me, those texts from my friends were all I needed.       

So, let’s try to keep in mind that small gestures can go a long way to show others that they are loved. And if you’re going through a difficult time right now, please remember that You. Are. Loved. Period.