Yesterday my son was riding his bike home from school. A car accident happened right in front of him. One car got out of control and almost hit him. This morning I heard on the news about a 16 year old boy who was running after school for cross country. He was hit by a car and killed. Obviously both these events impacted me. The former a great deal; the latter more so because of the incident with my son.
This is one of those days that I want to encourage everyone to hold their children a little bit closer. Be sure to tell them how much you love them and how precious they are to you. My son and I spent a great deal of time hugging yesterday.
As he was texting me after the accident, he meant to say that he was scared. Instead he texted that he was sacred. I think that was true. All of our children are sacred. There is nothing more important to me than my children. I would do anything to keep them safe and happy. We all need to let our children know how important they are to us. Do not hesitate. Do not wait until later. We may not have a later. Say it today. Appreciate the amazing gift that we have been given by having these people in our lives.
Go and hug your children and tell them you love them. You will not regret it.
Dr. Michelle Gottlieb is a powerful believer in the power of hugs.