A little over a week ago, I shared with you the great news that my father’s health appeared to be improving and he and my mother looked as though they would be celebrating their 40th anniversary soon afterall.
A few days after posting that message, his health took a turn for the worst and he passed away this past week. This is the reason you saw guest bloggers here all last week and the reason I’ve invited more guest bloggers to assist me this week. But before turning it over to our guests for this week, I wanted to leave you with these words.
Below is a favorite poem of Richard Carlson (author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff). After his wife was widowed when he unexpectedly died at age 45, she published a book which included this peom. When thinking of my mom, and so many widows who are members of this club, I think about the advice they always give. Have no regrets. Say “I love you,” “thank you,” and “I’m sorry” as often as needed and never let a day pass without saying, “I love you.”
Rest in peace, Dad, and thank you for loving my mom and all your children in an extraordinary way.
Tomorrow Never Comes
If I knew it would be the last time,
That I’d see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly,
and pray the Lord your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time,
That I would see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and a kiss,
And call you back for just one more.
If I knew it would be the last time,
Id hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would tape each word and action,
And play them back throughout my days.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I would spare an extr minute or two,
To stop and say, “I love you,”
Instead of assumming you know I do.
So just in case tommorow never comes,
And today is all I get,
I’d like to say how much I love you,
And I hope we never will forget.
Tommorow is not promised to anyone,
Young and old alike,
And today may be the last chance,
You get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you’re waiting for tomorrow,
Why not do it today?
For if tommorow never comes,
You’ll surely regret the day
That you didn’t take that extra time,
For a smile, a hug or a kiss,
And you were too busy to grant someone
What turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
And whisper in their ear,
Tell them you love them very much, and
You’ll always hold them dear.
Take time to say “I’m sorry,”
“Please forgive me,”
“Thank you”, or
“It’s OK,”
And if tomorrow never comes,
You’ll have no regrets about today.
©Norma Cornett Marek (1989)
Until tomorrow…make it a great day!
Comments: With more than 65,000 Happy Wives Club members already actively engaged on our Facebook Community page, what better place to share your thoughts? Join me there and let’s continue the conversation.
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