Chicken Soup for Every Mom's Soul: Stories of Love and Inspiration for Moms of All Ages
350
Chicken Soup for Every Mom's Soul: Stories of Love and Inspiration for Moms of All Ages
350eBook
Related collections and offers
Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781453276365 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Chicken Soup for the Soul |
| Publication date: | 09/04/2012 |
| Series: | Chicken Soup for the Soul Series |
| Sold by: | SIMON & SCHUSTER |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 350 |
| File size: | 2 MB |
About the Author
Jack Canfield is co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series, which includes forty New York Times bestsellers, and coauthor of The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be. He is a leader in the field of personal transformation and peak performance and is currently CEO of the Canfield Training Group and Founder and Chairman of the Board of The Foundation for Self-Esteem. An internationally renowned corporate trainer and keynote speaker, he lives in Santa Barbara, California.
Mark Victor Hansen is a co-founder of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Hometown:
Santa Barbara, CaliforniaDate of Birth:
August 19, 1944Place of Birth:
Fort Worth, TexasEducation:
B.A. in History, Harvard University, 1966; M.A.T. Program, University of Chicago, 1968; M.Ed., U. of Massachusetts, 1973Website:
http://www.jackcanfield.comRead an Excerpt
Saying I Love You
Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within
reach of every hand.
-
Mother Teresa
When I was a new mommy, I invented a quiet little signal,
two quick hand squeezes, that grew into our family’s
secret “I love you.”
Long before she could debate the merits of pierced ears
or the need to shave her legs, my daughter, Carolyn,
would toddle next to me clasping my finger for that muchneeded
support to keep her from falling down.
Whether we were casually walking in the park or scurrying
on our way to playgroup, if Carolyn’s tiny hand was
in mine, I would tenderly squeeze it twice and whisper, “I
love you.” Children love secrets, and little Carolyn was no
exception. So, this double hand squeeze became our special
secret. I didn’t do it all the time—just every so often
when I wanted to send a quiet message of “I love you” to
her from me.
The years flew by, and Carolyn started school. She was
a big girl now, so there was no need for little secret signals
anymore . . . or so I thought.
It was the morning of her kindergarten class show. Her
class was to perform their skit before the entire Lower
School, which would be a daunting experience. The big
kids—all the way to sixth grade—would be sitting in the
audience. Carolyn was nervous, as were all her little
classmates.
As proud family and friends filed into the auditorium to
take their seats behind the students, I saw Carolyn sitting
nervously with her classmates. I wanted to reassure her,
but I knew that anything I said would run the risk of making
her feel uncomfortable.
Then I remembered our secret signal. I left my seat and
walked over to her. Carolyn’s big brown eyes watched
each of my steps as I inched closer. I said not a word, but
leaned over and took her hand and squeezed it twice. Her
eyes met mine, and I immediately knew that she recognized
the message. She instantly returned the gesture giving
my hand two quick squeezes in reply. We smiled at
each other, and I took my seat and watched my confident
little girl, and her class, perform beautifully.
Carolyn grew up and our family welcomed two
younger brothers, Bryan and Christian. Through the
years, I got more experienced at the mothering game, but
I never abandoned the secret “I love you” hand squeeze.
Whether the boys were running on the soccer field for a
big game or jumping out of the car on the day of a final
exam, I always had the secret hand squeeze to send them
my message of love and support. I learned that when
over-sentimental words from parents are guaranteed to
make kids feel ill at ease, this quiet signal was always
appreciated and welcomed.
Three years ago, my daughter married a wonderful guy.
Before the ceremony, while we were standing at the back
ON LOVE 3
of the church waiting to march down the aisle, I could
hardly look at my little girl, now all grown up and wearing
her grandmother’s wedding veil, for fear of crying.
There was so much I wanted to say to her. I wanted to
tell her how proud of her I was. I wanted to tell her that I
treasured being her mom, and I looked forward to all the
future had in store for her. However, most important, I
wanted to tell her that I loved her. But I was positive that
if I said even one word, Carolyn and I would both dissolve
into tears.
Then I remembered it—our secret signal. I left my place
and walked back to Carolyn. As the organist began to
play, Ode to Joy, I took Carolyn’s hand and quickly
squeezed it twice. Our eyes met, and she returned the
signal.
There were no tears, there were no words exchanged,
just a secret “I love you” that I created one sunny afternoon,
when I was a new mother.
I am no longer a new mother . . . but a new grandmother.
Today, I was strolling with my little grandson,
Jake. His tiny hand was holding on to my finger, and I
couldn’t help remembering his mother’s hand in mine
over thirty years ago. As we walked, I gave his hand two
quick squeezes and whispered, “I love you.” He looked up
and smiled.
Linda Carol Cherken
©2005. All rights reserved. Reprinted from Chicken Soup for Every Mom's Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Heather McNamara and Marci Shimoff. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the written permission of the publisher. Publisher: Health Communications, Inc., 3201 SW 15th Street, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442.