{"id":7589,"date":"2017-06-02T08:41:23","date_gmt":"2017-06-02T14:41:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/?p=7589"},"modified":"2017-06-02T08:41:23","modified_gmt":"2017-06-02T14:41:23","slug":"what-one-reason-could-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.handsfreemama.com\/2017\/06\/02\/what-one-reason-could-do\/","title":{"rendered":"What One Reason Could Do"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I\u2019ve been thinking a lot about the banner that was displayed in my daughter\u2019s middle school this spring. It said, \u201c13 Reasons Why You Matter.\u201d It was a positive spin on the controversial show \u201c13 Reasons Why<\/a>.\u201d Although some students made fun of it, they all stopped, noticed, and it made them think.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s made me think too. In fact, the banner came to mind as I was trying to think of an anniversary gift for my parents. Fifty-five years of marriage needed a very special gift, so I purchased a lovely glass jar and wrote \u201c55 Reasons We Love You\u201d with gold paint pen on the lid. Between my sister, my husband, my two daughters, and myself, we filled that jar so full there was no room for the chocolate kisses I bought to go in the bottom.<\/p>\n

I must admit, I wasn\u2019t expecting the responses that were written on those 55 slips of paper. With just a few simple sentence starters, my family members expressed gratitude \u2026 provided comedic relief \u2026 and captured precious memories for this special couple.<\/p>\n

I could describe my parents\u2019 emotional reaction to the gift or you can simply look at the picture.<\/p>\n

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I think it might be the best gift they\u2019ve ever received. It will sit on their kitchen table in Florida where they eat breakfast together every morning. My mom will pick out a slip of paper and read it to my 77-year-old dad. There will be laughter, tears, amazement, assurance, and relief \u2013 lots of relief. Because no matter your age or your accomplishments, it\u2019s a relief to know you matter. And you can never hear it too many times.<\/p>\n

My mom said she\u2019d pull a reason out of the jar when she was feeling down and needed a lift. She also said that once they got through all 55 reasons, they would put them back in the jar and read them again, one by one, day by day.<\/p>\n

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For the rest of their days on earth, my parents won\u2019t have to wonder if they matter. They\u2019ll just reach into the jar.<\/p>\n

I get a little teary when I think about that.<\/p>\n

On those days when growing old is especially hard, my mom or dad will reach into that jar. And what they read on that slip of paper could give them reason to live.<\/p>\n

The life-sustaining impact of this simple gift has got me thinking.<\/p>\n

I wish every young person had one<\/h3>\n

\u2026 for the days they feel rejected, unwelcome, and worthless.<\/p>\n

I wish every elderly person had one \u2026<\/h3>\n

for the days they feel lonely, afraid, unimportant, and useless.<\/p>\n

I wish every middle-aged person had one \u2026<\/h3>\n

\u2026 for the days they feel like they\u2019ve failed \u2026 like they\u2019re invisible \u2026 like things are going nowhere.<\/p>\n

I wish every single person on this earth had one \u2026<\/h3>\n

A jar with 55 reasons why they are loved.<\/p>\n

Actually, one reason would do.<\/h2>\n

And it wouldn\u2019t have to be in a decorative jar.<\/p>\n

We could text it.
\nWe could say it.
\nWe could write it on a piece of paper or in the sand.
\nWe could stick it on a windshield or on the bathroom mirror.
\nWe could whisper it or shout it from the rooftops.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe reason I love you and can\u2019t imagine life without you is this _____________.\u201d<\/h3>\n

They might smile.<\/p>\n

They might cry.<\/p>\n

But for certain, they will sigh with relief.<\/p>\n

Because no matter your age or your accomplishments, it\u2019s a relief to know you matter.<\/p>\n

And that reason you love them might just be reason to carry on.<\/p>\n

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Dear friends of the Hands Free Revolution, today's message is the essence of my new daily inspiration book, ONLY LOVE TODAY<\/a>. Each short entry (organized by seasons of life) is designed to help you strengthen connections and choose love despite the stresses, distractions, and discord of everyday. You will find\u00a0gratitude starters in the book<\/a> like the following I wrote\u00a0for my parents\u2019 anniversary gift. Please feel free to use them. They can apply to just about anyone!\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n