tell someone.

(via)

Clichés are everywhere and because they are clichés, most people don't truly process them when they come into sight. But there is a reason that clichés are what they are. They're true. And they're important.

A very close friend of mine lost his father two days ago. His father's health was in decline but the death was still sudden and shocking. My friend sent out an email today to let us know that he appreciated the condolences he had received and that his father passed away knowing he was loved. I thought of my own father and burst into tears.

I've had some harsh losses in my life. Some were anticipated, some were not. But to lose a parent, especially this early in life, is something that falls into a whole other category, something I don't think anyone could possibly imagine without having gone through the same thing.

How often do we have to be reminded to tell people we love them without the reminder coming from such a major loss? How many times have I had conversations like this with myself before but still failed to make that phone call or write that letter or type that email?

We just never know when someone will be taken from us. We know that the world can throw us for a loop at any given moment but we fail to remember this. We need to try harder. We should never let too much time pass before getting in touch with those who are far away. We should never leave someone's side without doing it on a positive note. We should never waste an opportunity to tell someone we love them.