The comfort of three little words

When I moved from Illinois I moved away from many good friends; so close that I could easily use the word 'family' with many of them.
Since moving away I have felt the power of the words 'I love you' whether they are said over the phone or in person. I prefer watching the words slide easily through the lips of someone special, but when distance gets in the way, the words through the phone earpiece are a welcome whisper.
Are the words 'I love you' repeated too many times, or not enough? Or just enough?
I was in Chicago on business in June and I was fortunate enough to be able to spend Father's Day at Willow Creek Church. It was a great service,complete with many hugs, tears,laughter and 'I love you's'.
Last Tuesday I got a phone call about a good friend from Chicago that was in a horrific motorcycle accident. As he lay, fighting for his life in a coma, brain revealed to expose the brain and allow swelling, my heart was in so much pain.
Talking and crying with my friend, Ed, brought comfort to my heart.
When I was at Willow I was speaking to Tom, the wonderful man in the accident, while Ed waited on the sidelines so we could spend some precious time together.
Tom and I said out 'See you laters', we hugged a hug that sent special thoughts to each other. Tom and I have always had a special bond.
Ed reminded me of the hug and said I could find comfort in knowing that the last words we spoke to each other were 'I love you, Tom" "I love you, Sandy." Ed remembers because it struck him that people don't typically tell each other these three protected words. They are reserved for the selected few. Many times long after it is too late.
Tom is still fighting to return to us; my days are spent in prayer for him and his wonderful kids. There is a heaviness as I wait to hear of any progress; but I can rest in the crook of the comfort that the last words imprinted on Tom's heart from my mouth were "I love you'.
Do we say those three little words enough? Or too late?

Imagine that you are right where you are supposed to be!

Happy Birthday Deb!
It was my girlfriend's birthday and I had forgotten that I had told her a couple of weeks back that I would take her out for her birthday! As I was busy trying to get everything to fit into my day I became aware that I had committed myself to one more thing. Or rather, a text message on my phone reminded me of my offer of a celebration!
Deb drove into my driveway as I walked out of the house with a 'Happy Birthday' tiara on my head, a light-up necklace around my neck and a BIG birthday cookie/cake and gift in my hands.
Deb let out a squeal and her whole body exuded excitement.
All of my fatigue from the day dissipated.
We skipped into the first honky tonk downtown Nashville, ate a quick meal of something made of grease, fried in grease. We greeted our friends, the musicians, listened as they sang to Deb her birthday song and went to another honky tonk.
Our fun attitude and loud laughs attracted new friendships, as did Deb's birthday announcements on her head and around her neck.
We laughed, we made new friends, we danced and went home with memories and phone numbers of new friends.
All of this was a reward for being my word. I had committed myself and I went...and I am so glad I did!
Another great night - Deb's celebration and Music City - all wrapped in birthday paper with a big bow on top.