About this quote

You don't have to justify someone's care for you. Pay attention to the small, steady actions — a morning message, a hand on your back, showing up when you are tired — those are the facts. Do you always need a reason to let someone in? Accept care when it's offered; say thank you, be clear about your limits if you need them, and return kindness in simple ways.

When to use it

• After a fight, your partner asks, 'Why do you stay with me?' and you answer, 'I love you, that's the reason.'
• At a family dinner an adult child asks, 'Can you still love me after that?' and a parent says, 'Yes, I love you — no explanation needed.'
• Sitting with an elderly patient who worries about being a burden, the caregiver replies, 'I look after you because I care for you.'
• After a kid cries over losing a game, a parent kneels down and says, 'I love you whether you win or lose.'