Our discussion over lunch was a bit relief.  I learned I am not alone with my  frustration.

      We are able to  say "I love you" to  a friend, a colleague and to a performer who entertain  us well but not to our dear parents.  Per experience, I really  don't know why it feels awkward to say these words to them and I always feel guilty about it.  As a coping mechanism, I make  sure that my  child practice saying these words and express her affection to me and our relatives but at the back of my mind I wish I can do it well just like how she  does.

      I believe action speaks louder than words. At the same  same time,  I know how our heart beats when someone tells us and we are kinda sure how much we are loved but I haven't tried saying these words to my parents.  I may not have grown with such western practice but I could have started it.  I feel sad because of this.