A lesson in lasting love from family
Laura Jeanne Allen admitted to being skeptical about a love that is pure and enduring. However, she said she never doubted her grandparents’ relationship. They had love down pat. It was a way of life.
Her grandparents were married for more than a half century, and they had a special game from the time they were first married. They took turns leaving the word SHMILY around the house, and as soon as one of them discovered it, it was that person’s turn to hide it once more for the other to find.
SHMILY showed up smeared into the dew on the windows or written in the steam on a bathroom mirror. The word could be found on a dashboard or taped to a steering wheel, stuffed inside shoes or left under pillows. At one point, her grandmother unrolled an entire roll of toilet paper to leave “shmily” on the very last sheet.
S-H-M-I-L-Y. See How Much I Love You.
They not only said the words, Allen remembers they held hands every chance they could and stole kisses as they bumped into each other in their tiny kitchen. Before every meal, they bowed heads and gave thanks, marveling at their blessings — a wonderful family, a good life, and each other.
When her grandmother was dying from cancer and could no longer go outside, her grandfather painted their room yellow, so she could always be surrounded by sunshine. On her funeral bouquet, SHMILY was scrawled in yellow on the pink ribbons.
Allen said, “Although I couldn’t begin to fathom the depth of their love, I know I was privileged to witness its unmatched beauty.”
What do the words “I love you” mean in your family? What do the children and grandchildren learn about love from watching you?