Most commonly known as Mister Rogers, Fred Rogers is perhaps the most beloved children’s television figure of all time. He used his understanding of children, love of music, and endless imagination to teach kids abstract concepts about love, friendship, feelings, divorce, death, and more.
(Pixabay / JillWellington)
One of the most memorable songs that he sang was “Many Ways to Say, ‘I love you.’” It was so popular, in fact, that he used it in over 45 different episodes! The lyrics do a spot-on job of teaching people – old and young – that there are many different ways to show your love beyond just physical or verbal expressions of affection.
Here are the original lyrics:
There are many ways to say I love you
There are many ways to say I care about you.
Many ways, many ways, many ways to say
I love you.
There’s the singing way to say I love you
There’s the singing something someone really likes to hear,
The singing way, the singing way, the singing way to say
I love you.
Cleaning up a room can say I love you.
Hanging up a coat before you’re asked to
Drawing special pictures for the holidays and
Making plays.
There are many ways to say I love you
Just by being there when things are sad and scary
Just by being there, being there
Being there to say, I love you
Sure, you say, that’s all easy and good for Mister Rogers, who could pop into his neighborhood any time he wanted, but what about when you’re trying to show your love to people who live far away? Trying to strengthen the familial bond from a distance can be tricky. Oftentimes, it requires you to think creatively and adapt using technology, but the results can be fantastic.
In a nod to sage advice from Mister Rogers, here are some simple gestures to show your family living far away just how much you care.
“The Singing Way”
Research has proven the power of music in building bonds and improving overall life on many occasions. This article, in particular, highlights 25 different studies on the power of music on people with neurological difficulties such as depression, anxiety, Parkinson’s, dementia, and muscular dystrophy. The studies showed that music had the ability to lift moods and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Music can also help improve communication and social relationships. Some ways to show your love “the singing way” include:
– You (or your kids) singing a favorite song and sending it to a loved one in an email or text
– Purchasing a digital copy of a song that reminds you of your family member and sending it to them
– Creating a Spotify playlist of favorite songs and sharing it with them
“The Cleaning Way”
We live in interesting times where we can’t do the social things we used to. Fortunately, normalcy is on the horizon, but we still need to take extra precautions to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.
If you live in the same house, you can show you love your family by doing extra chores for your loved ones without being asked. If you don’t live in the same house, you can always sneak over to your family member’s house and do some yardwork incognito.
“Just Being There”
Just being there for your loved ones can profoundly impact the relationship you have with your family members. The important thing is that you cultivate a relationship before either of you needs to lean on each other. Small, frequent reminders such as text messages, phone calls, or emails are great ways to show that you’re thinking of your loved ones. Even if you currently don’t have a strong relationship, you’ll both be ready when you need it by taking little steps now.
“Making Something”
One of the best ways to show your heartfelt love and appreciation for someone is to make something you know they’ll like. It can be as simple as a handmade birthday card or handwritten letter that you stamp and send through the mail.
Grandparents love getting notes in the mail, so if you have kids, sit down together and write up or draw cards for everyone as a family night activity. You can also make and drop off baked goods or get delicious cookie gifts delivered right to their door if you live too far away.
Another great (and easy!) idea is to make a photo video set to a favorite song and send it to your family. Both iPhone and Androids are capable of creating a photo montage, so gather up all of your favorite family photos and create a video that will get everyone feeling nostalgic.
It is hard when you don’t live close to family, or you can’t visit as often as you’d like, but that doesn’t mean that your relationship has to flounder. With technology and creativity on your side, it’s easier than ever to cultivate a warm relationship from a long distance. If you feel a little unsure with how to show you care, just remember, “there are many ways to say, I love you.’”
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