Thursday, July 30, 2009

A Sad Reminder

IN THE NEWS: 34 hospitalized after co-worker sprays perfume. Read more HERE.

Tell someone you love that you love them today.

You've probably heard this time and time again but only because it's so important.

My friend's mom passed away the other day and she's having a particularly hard time with it. There are many circumstances that make her grieving particularly hard, but one of them is her wondering if she told her mom that she loved her the last time she was with her. I'm sure she did but you don't want to have to doubt yourself at this time.

Before my father passed away--quite unexpectedly--I had an overpowering urge to tell him and my mom how much I love them and what a good time I had with them. I told them over and over again the whole car ride to the airport so I'm sure they probably wanted to shove a sock in my mouth by the end. But I'm so glad I did, because three days later my dad was gone.

I really feel God had urged me to express what I normally would have taken for granted on any other day. In fact, I think of it as God's gift to me, because my mind is at ease and I could not be more confident that my father knew exactly how much I loved him.

Right now, I'm watching my friend's youngest child, so I won't have much computer time until next week. I just wanted to share this and remind everyone not take anyone you love for granted. You just don't know how long you'll have them.

I'm going to give my mom a call right now.

13 comments:

Jessica Nelson said...

Thank you Jennifer. I'm sorry to hear about your friend's mom. I hope she feels some peace about this.

Marianne Arkins said...

This is very VERY true... when my dad died (18 years ago), I had many regrets that stemmed from the "might have beens" and the things I didn't say. I promised to never allow it to happen again because you can't go back and fix that, and it's a really sucky thing to live with.

I hope your friend is able to get past her despair.

Eileen Astels Watson said...

Beautiful reminder. Thanks Jennifer!

I'll be praying for your friend.

Jeanette Levellie said...

Jennifer: you are so right. Similar to you, God prompted me to call my dad right before he died. The last words we spoke to each other were, "I love you." If I had not called him, I know I'd be sad and regretful.

I pray your friend finds peace soon. The devil is such a liar.

Jen said...

I try to end every phone conversation with my mother and my husband with "I love you". And my grandmother. Especially my grandmother.

I'm praying for your friend.

~Jen

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Jennifer,

I've called my folks every day since I learned about my dad's lung cancer. In some ways I know it's my weird way to control the situation/my feelings. In other ways I know I want to take every chance I have to say what I need to.

Thanks for this post!
~ Wendy

Robin M said...

My 9 year old tells me several times a day and my hubby never ends a call to me without telling me. I make a point to end every call to my parents and siblings with an I love you. Funny story. The other day I was at work and called one of our friends with an estimate on his
amplifier. I ended the call with an inadvertent "love ya" and only realized what I said after hanging up. Fortunately he and his wife are good friends and we all had a good laugh about it.

Sorry to hear about your friend's mom. Give her a huge hug from all of us. Her child too.

Thanks for the reminder about not taking those closest to us for granted.

Kelly H-Y said...

Oh my goodness ... what a wonderfully powerful reminder. Your post gave me chills. Thank you ... and what a wonderful friend you are to help out with her child during this difficult time for her.

Susan R. Mills said...

Thanks for the reminder. Sometimes we forget how important it is to tell people we love them.

Jeannie Campbell, LMFT said...

will be praying for your friend's mom. and i know the relief you feel of having told someone you love them before they pass away.

think i'll give my grandparents (well, my husband's grandparents...mine are gone) a call.

Jill Kemerer said...

Thanks for the reminder Jennifer, and I'm so glad you're there for your friend and her child. Isn't it wild when we're "nudged" to act out of character for a reason?

Have a great weekend.

Tana said...

So important. I've ignored that nagging feeling and have lived to regret it as well. Thanx for the important reminder.

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