Why is it that many people have to wait until they’re in a wooden box for others to say how they really feel about them?
You’ve probably been to funerals where family and friends talk in glowing terms of the person who has passed on and wondered if they knew how loved they were while they were still alive.
Sure, there are times when the person who has died bears no resemblance to the wonderful human being who is being described at the funeral service. Some people seem to have no redeeming features during their lifetime but suddenly develop a much kinder and more lovable disposition at the time of death. That’s not the kind of person I’m talking about here. I’m talking about good people who have done their best with the days that they’ve been given on this planet yet have gone to their grave never really knowing just how much they’ve meant to those close to them or how they’ve influenced those whose lives they’ve touched.
A Live Wake
Last week during the Simply Living segment on 98.5 Sonshine FM, Jill Bonanno and I talked about having a ‘live wake’ to express love and appreciation before someone passes away. You can hear our conversation by clicking the play button on the audio player at the bottom of this post.
It wouldn’t need to be a morbid affair. The next time someone you love is celebrating a significant birthday you could perhaps invite friends and family to say a few words which would demonstrate how they feel. I’ve heard of people who’ve asked others to send stories and photos before a celebration so that they could put together a book of appreciation.
Who needs to know how you feel about them?
On a personal level, have you ever taken the time to send a note, a letter, or even an email to someone to tell them how much they mean to you? When was the last time you looked into someone’s eyes and told them you truly love them?
Saying something like, “They know how I feel”, is a copout. How can they really know if you haven’t told them? And if you haven’t told them in recent weeks don’t take it for granted that they still feel secure about their place in your heart.
How else can we show appreciation?
Can you think of other ways to ensure that those you care about know, really know, with every part of their being, that they are loved and appreciated?
Don’t let anyone you know die without knowing the impact they’ve made in your life. None of us know how much time we have left so don’t put it off. Tell someone today how important they are to you.
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