"Say a Good Good-Bye"

October 28th, 2010

As we look forward to Thanksgiving, I am reminded of advice that I read long ago. It was to “say a good goodbye.”

Remember that on 9/11 those people who knew they were about to die called those they cared about to tell them they loved them. This author suggested that we not wait until the end of life to tell people we love them. He suggested that we regularly sit down and think about what we would say to people, if we knew that this was the last time we could communicate with them. What would you tell them about what you are thankful for in your relationship with that person? What do you admire in that person? What would you want them to know? Tell them now.

When Mom lost her leg and was in critical condition for so long, I never knew when I left her bedside if I would see her alive again. I made it a point to kiss her cheek and tell her I loved her. Since I am less than perfect, I am sometimes less than patient. Then I need to give myself a time-out and try to think of what I am thankful for.