By Danel 
If you knew you were going to die soon and all you could do was make one phone call, who would you call? What?
You say? So why are you waiting for that to happen?
When I was superintendent of schools in Palo Alto, California, Polly Tyner, the president of the board of trustees, wrote a letter that was published in the Palo Alto Times. Polly’s son, Jim, was struggling academically. Although he was diagnosed with learning disabilities and it took a lot of patience from his parents and teachers to help him get an education, Jim was a happy boy with a beautiful smile that lit up the house.
Although his parents knew that he had a problem with his academic performance, they always tried to help him identify his strengths so that he could walk with pride. Secondary
He died suddenly in a motorcycle accident just days before he was due to graduate. After his death, his mother sent this letter to the newspaper.
“Today we buried our 20-year-old son. He passed away suddenly in a motorcycle accident on Friday night. If I had known that it would be his last day alive when I spoke to him for the last time, I would have said, ‘I love you, Jim, I’m so proud of you.'”
I would take time to count the many blessings he brought into the lives of so many people he loved. I would take time to appreciate his beautiful smile, his voice, and all the genuine love he had for people.
If we put the good qualities and the annoying qualities like blaring the radio, cutting our hair the way we don’t like it, putting dirty socks under the bed, etc. on a scale, the annoying things won’t be as much of a balance.
I may not get another chance to tell my child everything I want them to hear, but other parents do. Tell them what you want them to hear if you know it will be your last conversation.
The last time I spoke to Jim was on a Sunday. He called me and said, “Hi, Mom! I just wanted to tell you that I love you. I have to go to work.” He gave me something I will look forward to forever.
If Jim’s death had any purpose, that purpose was perhaps to make others appreciate life more and to allow people, especially families, to take time to realize how much we care about each other.
You may not get another chance. So do it now!