What could possibly mean more to anyone than knowing the impact they've had on the people around them?
Hospice patients often review the meaning and value of their contributions in life.
As you well know, this is not always a comfortable or easy journey. However, we've createda simple and lovely way to share the immense value of a loved one with them directly: the Love List.
Even when it may be difficult to say these things in person, this idea makes it comfortable, beautiful, creative, meaningful, and easy!
Love Lists are a way to share all of the amazing things about another that makes you just love them. Big things, little things–all the things that touches you about them. Sure, they may know it, but like hearing or seeing the words—there is nothing like a heartfelt expression of love and care.
Think about it—Your staff gets connected with each and every patient, and it can be difficult when they die.. What if your clinical staff could add to the Love List every time they visit a patient. They can share what they admire, care about or see in their patient. It can be offered as an outreach to your patients’ family caregivers for some ideas and ways to communicate more authentically with their loved one.
What if you could give a gift that would speak directly to the heart?
You can. The Love List is that gift.
The Love List is one of the very best gifts you can give someone. It is simply a list of all the reasons you love them. Your reasons can be sweet or sassy, poignant or punny. But think about it, what's better in all the world than knowing we are seen, loved, and appreciated for who we are?
This simple gift is a gift of love that keeps on giving — they'll read it over and over!
I've given dozens of these gifts in my life and wow, the impact is always so delightful and profound.
To make it easy for you, I've had a professional designer create 10 different page designs for Love Lists that include 10-items, 25-items, 30, 40, and 50-items. Print 'em out as many times as you want. It is at least ten gifts — but could be dozens!
Give more; spend less. Give gifts with imagination and impact. Give gifts of love.
Stories of Love Lists:
When Sherry put out her challenge to write a love list, I knew immediately that I wanted to let my daughter Megan know how much I love her and that I really SEE who she is. When she opened the package … let’s just say tears were shed. Happy tears! The true gift had to be in the making of it — the time I spent making it became almost a meditation on how important she is to me and then seeing how it touched her, knowing I’d hit the mark, well, that touched something in me too. I will never forget it. (Kelley Walker)
Thank you so much for your Love List idea! I got all of my students to hand-make cards or letters of love and appreciation to their parents yesterday! While they were at it, I made a Love List for my Mom too. We had such a great time! And my Mom was sooooo touched and surprised to receive my love list! She wrapped me in a super long embrace and planted kisses on my cheeks and arms! We had not hugged each other for years! That feels amazing! Thank you for rallying us to spread so much joy and love! (Emily Tu)
I had so much fun making the love lists, it was the best present and the look on everyone’s faces was priceless. I had so much fun thinking about all the different qualities each child/person had and could not wait for them to read it. We sat around in a circle with my mom, each person read the list quietly to themselves and if they choose out loud. My two daughters were extremely touched by the love list and the effort that went into making them. We had to read my mom’s for her because she was crying too much. I think even my 15-year-old son enjoyed it, though he would never admit it. My husband had a big smile on his face. It was a great way to share with the family. I even made one for our dogs Katie & Jake! (Laura London)
Sherry, I read somehwere on your website about a Love List gift. I have a big extended family and we all celebrate Christmas together. So this year I handed everyone a set of index cards with the name of each family member — about 31 people. Everyone wrote down one thing they loved about the person and then we all read them aloud on Christmas Eve. The kids said it was our best Christmas Eve ever. Thank you for the inspiration. (Anne Scanlon Morton)
I absolutely delighted in the opportunity to celebrate one of my dear friends with a Love List. Even in preparation for writing it, I had a few days of ruminating all the many ways my friend has been such a light in my life. Then finally drafting it, I found the process so beautiful. Crafting my words to share with her, knowing I’d read them aloud and get to fully celebrate her brilliance, while looking into her eyes. We don’t express gratitude and appreciation near enough in this world, and it was so heartwarming to remember that our reflection and expression of this to the loved ones in our lives is the ultimate sacred gift! (Willo O'Brien)
Photo credit for Love List pic: Andrea Scher, Superhero Life