Tell Them You Love Them While You Still Can

Call your dad.

When he asks why you’re calling, say you just wanted to hear his voice. Better yet, thank him for that long-ago afternoon he spent patiently teaching you to change a flat tire. Tell him every time you hear a college football game on the radio, it takes you back to lazy fall afternoons by his side. Let him know that in hindsight, you really appreciate the tough conversations he sat you down for when you needed his guidance the most. Tell him you love him and feel so darn lucky that of all the dads in this world, he’s yours.

Dial your mom’s number.

Let her know how much it meant to you that she was there for every band concert and soccer game and parent-teacher conference. Apologize for all the slammed doors that came between you. Assure her you know everything she ever did was in the best interest of your heart . . . even when it broke hers. Tell her you finally understand the vastness of her love for you, because you feel it every time you look at your own babies.

Make time to visit your grandparents.

Knock on the door and squeeze your grandma extra tight as she ushers you inside. Gush over how well her flowers are growing and when she offers you a second cookie, take it with a smile. Ask your grandpa if he ever figured out the missing word in his crossword puzzle, and listen intently as he tells you stories about when he was a boy. Promise to mow his lawn next week, and tell him you’ll be rooting for his favorite team come Sunday afternoon.

Send a text to your brother that starts with, “Do you remember when. . .” Let yourself get lost in memories of the days you spent learning and growing together under the same roof.

Comment on your sister’s picture that she’s beautiful on the outside, but it’s her inner light that really shines through. Ask her all about her new boyfriend and make sure she knows that he’s the lucky one.

Set up a coffee date with the best friend you haven’t seen in a while. Not just a casual, “we need to get together,” but an actual date circled on the calendar in permanent marker.

And when you’re finished with all of those things, tip-toe silently into the room where your babies are sleeping and kiss each of them once, twice, three times on the forehead. Whisper I love yous in their ears and pause at their door to watch them for just a moment longer.

Do it all today. Don’t wait.

Right here, right now, this second . . . it’s all we’re promised with the ones we love most. Sometimes we forget that.

The thing is—in this unpredictable life—we really, REALLY can’t afford to take one second for granted.

I can’t tell you what tomorrow will bring, my friend, but I can promise you this:

You’ll never regret calling your dad.

This post originally appeared on Bouncing Forward with Casey Huff