How many times in our lives have we really wanted to say something to someone and we just never get the chance or never take the opportunity? Our intentions are good, but we forget, things get in the way or circumstances happen that prevent us from being able to deliver that message that we so desired. That makes it all the more important to say what we feel, when we feel it and before it is too late.

When we love someone, they need to be reminded and we need to tell them. There is never any guarantee that we are going to get a second chance to say how we feel. An accident, unexpected disease or health condition that renders our loved one unable to communicate, may create the inability for our expression to take place.

I have written before about my Aunt Gail who I was very close to growing up. We did everything together because she was so close to me in age. There was a period of time that we became estranged and lost contact. However, one of our family members worked to try and bring us back together and I just was not ready. Just before the time was right and I thought I was at the point for a reconciliation, I received a phone call that my aunt had passed from an unexpected complication from surgery. In the blink of an eye my ability to say all the things I wanted to say that would hopefully repair the relationship was gone and it was not something that I would ever get back.

My friend Linda and I were talking about this very subject the other day. We discussed the need to say to people what you want them to know each and every day when the opportunity presents itself. Tell people you love them, how much they mean to you and how important a part of your life they are. Don’t harbor negative thoughts and feelings that need to be released, when you have an opportunity to resolve them while the other person is still around. Openly communicate how you feel so that the other person never has to guess.

My mom and I never hang up the phone without saying I love you to each other. We never have to guess how the other is feeling as we convey it as often as we can. The same goes for my spouse and I try to do the same thing with my friendships. I did the same with my grandmother until she developed dementia. I continued to tell her that I loved her, even though I was unable to receive the confirmation from her that she heard it.

If you have something that you need to say to someone, do it at your next opportunity. Do not rob yourself or them of the chance to show what you mean to each other. If we wait, there will become a moment when it is too late and that is the very thing we want to avoid.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles today.

Ron

Mornings with Ron is available as a podcast at anchor.fm/morningswithron or on iHeartRadio, Apple or Google Podcast, Spotify or most podcast sites.