So as I was browsing the Internets, I came across a Yahoo article about a six-year old girl who, prior to dying of brain cancer, wrote love notes for her family and hid them around the house.  Her parents found them after she passed away and as a result, wrote a book and started a foundation to raise money for pediatric brain cancer research.

While browsing the comments, I realized that lots of people think this story is a scam.  I was quite surprised by the cynicism expressed by others.  One person even said, “using a dead kid to sell a fiction book is pretty low.”  It’s as if Balloon Boy has turned us all into skeptics!

Now I don’t know whether or not this is just a hoax.  But looking at the website, I felt like it wasn’t my place to judge the validity of this story, especially if money truly is being raised for cancer research.  I mean, I hope no one would heartlessly embezzle money in the name of cancer (though I know sadder things have happened — ahem, Balloon Boy’s parents!).

Even more, it got me thinking about the importance of telling the people you love that you love them.  Personally, I know I don’t say it nearly as much as I should.  I may have gotten this from my parents — they NEVER say the “L” word.  I ever remember once asking my father if he loved me and him replying, “I wouldn’t let someone eat all my food and live in my house for free for nothing.”

heartSo with that said, I propose to you a challenge: to write a love note. It can be to anyone and it can say anything.  It doesn’t need to be romantic and it doesn’t have to give an in-depth explanation.  But I think once the words come out, it’s easier to make sure the right person receives them.

I’d love for you all to send me your love notes here.  You can make your note anonymous, but be sure to write “Love Note” in the subject line.  I’ll post all the notes, anonymously, on November 30th.

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