The Last Words
What were your last words to someone who is important to you? Can you remember them? Were they words of love? Encouragement? Kindness? Or were they words of anger and spite?
As you may or may not know, I am also a home health caregiver. On the weekends, I provide services for elderly clients in their home, helping some of them with day to day tasks that they are unable to do for themselves or helping a person with dementia.
I have been working with a couple for the past 2 years. The wife has dementia and the husband was relatively healthy. I worked with this couple the day before I left on vacation last month. I made it a point to let her know that I loved her and would miss her knowing full well that I may not see her again. However, I didn’t do the same with the husband. I’m sure I told him something along the lines of “I’ll see you when I get back”. To my shock and dismay, it was actually the husband that passed away before I got back!
Through the past several months, I had told him, multiple times, what an honor and privilege it was to work with not only his wife, but with him also. However, I regret that I didn’t remind him of that before I left; all because I assumed that I would see him again. Why hadn’t I taken the few extra seconds to tell him that I loved him and would miss him also? Although, I didn’t leave their home in anger nor did we exchange harsh words, I regret that I hadn’t taken the time so do such a simple thing.
Whether you have been in my office only once, a handful of times or are a regular client, I want you to know how much I appreciate your presence in my life, whether a brief encounter or not, I appreciate you! It is my honor and my privilege to know you and to work with you!
MY CHALLENGE TO YOU:
Please, please, please take some time today to let those people in your life know how much they mean to you. If you have had a falling out with someone, try to mend fences, if at all possible. Because tomorrow is never promised to any one of us.