'I love you' more than for Valentine's Day

My mother used to say, "Love makes the world go 'round."

As a child, I thought she was misinformed or maybe even delusional. I was fairly sure it was money that made the world go around. Since our family didn't have any, we had no control over the world.

But of course, my mother was right. She wasn't being romantic, she was stating a fact. I can't prove this truth, I just know it. Which was probably also the case for my mother.

Valentine's Day, underneath the folderol of candy and cards, celebrates this truth. When our first child was learning to talk, among her first phrases was "Aisles a boo."

Any discerning person can plainly tell that this gibberish meant "I love you." She may have had no idea what the words meant, but she was repeating the phrase she heard morning, noon and night. I think it made her feel loved to hear it, and it made her feel loving to say it.

One afternoon, I was driving on a Johns Island back road. I don't usually pick up hitchhikers, but I couldn't resist a man and his four kids walking along toting laundry.

In the course of his relating his life story en route to the laundry, he said his brother had died in a car wreck.

His only consolation was that he told his brother "I love you" as he left the house before his fatal trip. I thought our family was the only family that always said those words as farewell, no mat- ter how short a time the loved one was expected to be gone.

An older family member criticized this tradition. Her point was that loved ones already know they're loved. There's no need to keep saying the words.

Her opinion is her opinion. I will keep saying the words to everyone I love, young and old.

"You're Lovable to Me" by Kat Yeh is my favorite new picture book for Valentine's Day or any other day.

From the text: "No matter what your feelings are, whatever they may be ... I'm your mama. You're my bunnies. And you're lovable to me."

Read additional columns by Fran Hawk

And then at the end of the book, "When a papa loves a bunny, he still loves her when she's grown ... with a home that's filled with love and hope and bunnies of her own."

"Who Loves the Little Lamb?" by Lezlie Evans is a similar picture book that's lovely and full of affirmation.

"How Do Lions Say I Love You?" by Diane Muldrow is a new board book for the youngest children that lets them know that birds, bears, giraffes and other animals have special ways of showing love to their babies.

"Hugaboo, I Love You" by Hans Wilhelm is a funny, charming, heavy-duty, lift-the-flap book for the youngest little people. Or anyone who needs a hug.

For tried and true picture books:

--"I Promise I'll Find You" by Heather Patricia Ward.

--"Guess How Much I Love You" by Sam McBratney.

Sweet without calories: books!

Contact Fran Hawk at franbooks@yahoo.com.