Sometime I feel discouraged because I wanted to know why we as a culture wait until somebody has passed away before we tell them how much we love them. Why do we wait until someone's ears can't hear before we let them know how much they mean to us? Why do we wait until it is too late before we recall the good qualities of a person? Why do we build someone up after they have gone into eternity? What good does it do then? We share memory after memory, as we laugh, cry, and think back about what was positive in a person's life. Yes, it does help us cope with the grief of losing someone who was special to us, and, yes, it does bring those who are coping closer together. Unfortunately, as we lovingly remember this person, our words fall short of the ears that most needed to hear them.

Just once I would like to see a celebration of life instead of a gathering of death. A celebration where stories are told, eyes mist over, laughter rings out, and as the speaker concludes his or her loving tribute, the person they are honoring rises from their chair and gives them the biggest bear hug! Wouldn't that be something! The special people get to hear the stories and come to the realization that they have made a difference on this earth, and all this is done well before they leave their earthly bodies and go into eternity. When the inevitable funerals finally come, we can say good-bye with the knowledge that they knew exactly how people felt about them while they were here on earth.

Do you love someone? Then tell them! Has someone been an influence in your life? Then give them a call! Has someone made a difference in your life? Then write them a letter or send them an e-mail! Don't let another day go by without letting that person know. There is something special about a written letter that expresses feelings of love towards another.

Life is too short to leave kind words unsaid. The words you say, or the letter you write, might just make all the difference in the world.