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Happy Holidays and An Important Reminder
I’d like to start by wishing everyone a happy and safe holiday season.
More importantly though, I’d like to share an article that I recently read. And while the timing for such a piece may seem off, life is often unpredictable and unfair. I actually consider the holiday season to be the ideal time for this entry.
The article below was written by a palliative care worker that interacted closely with countless patients who were approaching their final days of life. Within the short piece, the author shares five of the most common regrets that were expressed by her patients.
I first read the article early last week. As I approached the 4th regret listed within, I made a mental note to give my best friend since elementary school a call to wish him and his family a Merry Christmas. While we’ve been best friends for well over 20 years, it had been too long since we last spoke.
Upon finishing the article, my gut reaction was to pick up the phone that moment, but I decided to wait until this week as there was still plenty of time before Christmas. Unfortunately, less than a week later, I received the tragic news that my best friend had died in a car accident. He died on Tuesday.
I’m now kicking myself as I wish I had taken five minutes out of my day to give my friend one last call.
In summary, I don’t mean to put a damper on the holiday season. I do however think it is a good time to be reminded that life is precious and tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. Each day is a gift. Embrace your friends and family during this holiday season and take the time to reconnect with those that you haven’t seen in a while.
RIP Charles
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Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you only spend it once. – Lillian Dickson
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I think the timing for this post was perfect and brave of you to do so. My heart goes out to the family.
Ross,
I agree the timing is ideal. It is too easy to get caught up in the activities of the holidays and miss the people. Enjoy them each day we are given.
Thank you for all you do. Have a merry Christmas and get ready for an awesome 2012!
-Troy
Sorry to hear about your friend Ross, your post was very necessary though.
It reminds me of a passage in the Bible that goes something like “Think of your final days, and you will never sin”..
Also, a couple months back a classmate of mine was acting distant, which I didn’t find too unusual at the time since it was our first semester together and all.. but I always had this feeling that I should go and talk to him, try to be friendly. Never acted on that impulse, just got caught up with other people or work or he was out the door faster than anyone else.. Well one day he was removed from the roll anonymously, we later came to find that he had committed suicide.
Just goes to show, you never know how much you can mean to the world or even to one person in their time of need. Don’t take any moment for granted.
I’m sorry to hear this sad news. I need to do some reconnecting.
Thanks for sharing that Ross. Sorry about your Friend.
My Mother died on this date (12/23/87), 25 years ago. Not a day goes by that I don’t pray for her and thank God for the time I had with her… And everyday I wish I had done more for her and Loved her more….The lesson for me is,, do what i can for the ones i love that are still with me and try and love them more…Bobby Sands wrote a poem to his Mother and the last lines are–
So forgive me Mum just a little more,
For not loving you so much before,
For life and Love you gave to me
I give my thanks for eternity
God Bless everyone and Merry Christmas.
Bill
Ross,
I suffer from quite a few of these regrets. I always consider myself “a work in progress” but somehow the holidays always seem to magnify the seriousness of how short life really is. I can’t even count how many times I’ve said “the year just seemed to fly by” these past couple weeks. Thanks for helping me set some of my New Years resolutions.
-Mitchell
Wow, that’s an awful turn of events. Hope you’re okay Ross, my sympathies to the family and to you.
Thanks for reminder ross, although really sad.
I read the article yesterday, was christmas eve.. called to about 15 people I really care about or even more. They all were so nice and we caught up a little bit.
Going to throw a party for my friends soon!
This gives us all a reminder of how precious
Our time is on planet earth and what we do with it. What is
The real reason for the season? Answer…Jesus Christ and his birth
Everyone who has gone before us are in one of two places,
Heaven or hell, Jesus Christ boldy proclaimed how to get
to the right place! Read John 14:6 for the answer. Don’t take my
word for it, find out for yourself…crack open the book, make
the call before it is too late.
Sorry for your loss.
It’s easy to lose perspective….best wishes all around….
My condolences Ross, thank you for sharing a powerful message at a difficult time.
My condolences Ross.