You may recall reading these words to your children as you tucked them into bed at night. The book Love You Forever by Robert Munsch has been a huge seller since 1986. Much of its popularity may be due to the fact that this story mirrors our current culture. The book tells the story of a mother and son and the eventual role reversal that takes place as the mother ages. The story opens to a mother and newborn baby. She cradles him in her arms and sings- I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be. As the son grows and often drives his mother crazy; each night she still tucks him into bed and sings those familiar words. The focus of the book then turns to the aging mother. She becomes too weak to sing those words to her now grown son. The son takes his elderly mother in his arms and sings- I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living my mother you’ll be. The final scene of the book depicts the son holding his own newborn baby and singing those words of unconditional love, now with even deeper emotion.
As many of us enter the “sandwich” years where we are caring for our elderly parents as well as our children. Let’s remember the unconditional love our own parents showed us and on days when our parents issues may be driving us mad, we can treat them with dignity as we remember – I’ll love you forever. I’ll like you for always. As long as you’re living my parent you’ll be.
By: Jenée Mendillo Community Education Coordinator
