No One Knows When the Last Goodbyes Are

Summary

The text reflects on the unpredictability of life and the importance of cherishing loved ones, emphasizing the transformative impact of loss and the need to appreciate every moment.

Abstract

The author shares a personal journey of realizing the value of time spent with family, particularly in the wake of their father's death from cancer. Through the recounting of three poignant stories involving a car accident, a heart attack, and a plane crash, the author underscores the suddenness with which life can change and the regrets that may follow if we fail to express our love and spend quality time with our loved ones. The narrative encourages readers to reassess their priorities, urging them to live more meaningfully and to cherish and be grateful for the presence of family and friends while they are still with us.

Opinions

The author believes that the loss of a loved one serves as a wake-up call to value the time we have with them.
There is a strong emphasis on the importance of expressing love and spending time with family, as life can change unexpectedly.
The author suggests that the pain of losing someone without the chance to say a proper goodbye is particularly profound.
Reflecting on death is seen as a powerful motivator to treat people more carefully and to live life more fully.
The author expresses that achieving career goals should not come at the expense of time with family and friends.
The text conveys that being present and grateful for the people in our lives is crucial, as we may not get a second chance to make amends or express our feelings.

While we are still here, why don’t we do something about it?

Photo by Min An from Pexels

There are so many things that happened around us that we can observe and learn. I was ungrateful before. I rather spent my time with my friends more than with my dad. When my dad passed away, it is like a wake-up call for me. There are still regrets in my heart for not spending more time with him. I become a different person after that. I look at things differently. I started to feel sad when people lose someone they loved because I’d felt it and its hurt bad. Every time I heard the news about people dying, I’m breaking inside.

My dad passed away because of cancer. Even though the doctor gave us heads-up that the time with my dad will be short, I still feels pain when he passed away. I keep on imagining how it feels for someone who lost their loved ones unexpectedly. There is no warning; no sickness and in a blink of an eye, they are gone forever.

Three situations affected me the most.

Accident

It’s not my story; it’s my friend. Let’s call her T. T was still 12 years old when she lost her dad. Her dad was on the way to the city and he was involved in a car accident. Inside the car were her brother and her dad. Her brother had a serious injury but can be saved but not her dad. Imagine being in T’s situation. Imagine coming home to the news that your dad was involved in an accident and passed away. That day was perfect; no sign no warning but your father leaves you forever. T doesn’t expect this to happen. If she knew, she might hug her dad a little bit longer that day. Now, let’s reflect together. If the situation has happened to you, what do you feel? Is it enough? When was the last time you tell your dad, you love him? When was the last time you spent time with your dad? Do you call him often? If the answer is not satisfying, change. Change while you still got chances.

2. Heart Attack

This story is based on a couple. Let’s call them A and B. A is a hardworking celebrity. She’s a workaholic. One day, her husband, B sleeps and never wakes up. Her husband was healthy. She never expects that her husband will leave her forever. There was no warning and sign for A. She was not ready for this. She never imagines losing her husband in a blink of an eye. When people asked what she regrets the most, she answered that if she knew that the time with her husband was short like that, she will spend so much time with her husband. It will be different. She regrets working so hard chasing for something that she doesn’t even know. Ok. Stop and reflect. Do you work so hard for the goals that you neglect your family and friends? Do you check on your family and friends today? If one of them passed away today, do you feel satisfied with your last words with them? If the answer is NO, check your priorities. Is it worth it if you have achieved your goals but no one there to celebrate with? Is it worth it?

3. Plane Crashes

This is the most heartbreaking situation for me. Compared to the car accident and heart attack where you can still see your loved ones for the last time, this one is different. I can’t imagine how heartbreaking it was for people who experience losing their loved ones in plane crashes. They were waiting happily for the arrival of their loved ones at the airport but instead of their loved ones, they were greeted by the bad news that the planes were crashed into the sea. I can’t imagine the pains of losing someone and never get to see them again. I don’t wish it upon anyone. Hearing news like that breaks my heart. I want to hug them. I want to say how strong they are. I want to be there for them. Again, let’s reflect. Do you take your time to be grateful today? Do you appreciate your family and friends today? If not, please do that. Please be grateful that we still here and have a chance to be better than before. Please be grateful that we still wake up and our loved ones are still here.

No one knows when the last goodbyes are. Remembering death can be a powerful lesson to us. It makes us more careful in talking and treating people. There were days that I sat on my dad’s grave and thought “I will be here one day”. It’s changing my perception of life. It makes me appreciate moments with my family and friends more. I appreciate them. I appreciate their existence. Life is too short. While we are still here, why don’t we do something about it? Make it meaningful as much as possible.