05/20/2024
Tomorrow marks a poignant anniversary for me. It’s the day I first opened my eyes to this world and the day I laid my father to rest in Switzerland ten years ago. May 14, 2014, was the last day I saw him, the day he chose to journey beyond the rainbow. Four years later, on that same date, I had my Green Card interview—a lifeline that transformed my life. Just three days after his departure, on May 17, 2014, his body was discovered in his shop. That same date marked the expiration of my Green Card. These intertwined dates link our lives in a way that feels almost fated. He was a remarkable man, and every year on this day, I feel a deep connection with him.
Reflecting on the past decade, a revelation stirs within me: the significance of "I LOVE YOU." I realize how sparingly I've used these words. Why have I held back? I was not raised in a family that expressed love verbally. Interestingly, "I LOVE YOU" in English carries an emotional weight for me that its French counterpart, "Je t’aime," does not. For me, "Je t’aime" feels hollow, devoid of the deep connection I associate with its English equivalent. This kept me from saying it, something I regret. But here, in my new life in the US, I connect deeply with people I love.
In the next two days, I will retreat into the wilderness to commemorate this special day. No noise, no celebrations, just me and the Universe. During this time, I intend to plant the seeds of a new purpose.
Over the years, I've amassed a vast, unused inventory of "I LOVE YOU’s." I can either let them accumulate or put them to use. I've chosen the latter. My mission now is to sincerely express these words in every encounter. We have just one life, and when my time comes, I want to ensure my stockpile of love has been spread far and wide.
Tomorrow is the day I saw the light for the first time. Tomorrow is the day I begin to spread LOVE for the first time.
If you have a reserve of “I LOVE YOU” left unspoken, or if there’s someone you’ve been meaning to express it to, write it in the comments below. Include their first name to let the Universe know. This is the moment to make a difference in someone’s life and in your life.
I LOVE YOU!
Hubert