By Sister Tarpley
NOTE: A friend and I discussed how words and actions are
important; once words are spoken or an action taken neither can be recalled;
and they will not be forgotten. Some individuals are not able to say their
last good-bye. I thought, “What would I do if I knew it was my last time to see or talk to a loved one?”
If I knew it would be the last time that I’d see you fall
asleep, I would tuck you in tightly and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time that you would walk out the
door, I would give you a hug, a kiss and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time that I’d hear your voice in
praise, I would video tape each action and word, and play them back again.
If I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra
minute or two to say “I love you,” instead of assuming, “You KNOW that I
do!”
If I knew it would be the last time that I would share your day .
. . well I’m sure you’ll have many more, so I can let just this one slip
away.
For surely there’s always tomorrow to make up for an oversight;
we always get a second chance to make everything just right.
There will always be another day to say “I love you.” Certainly
there’s another chance to say our, “Is there anything I can do?”
But just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get, I’d like to say
how much I love you. I hope that we never forget; tomorrow is not promised
to anyone, young or old alike; and today may be the last chance you get to
hold your loved one tight.
If you’re waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today? For if tomorrow never
comes, you’ll surely regret that you didn’t take that extra time for a
smile, a hug, or a kiss that you were too busy to give, and it turned out to
be their one last wish.
Hold your loved ones close today, and whisper in their ear, tell them how
much you love them and that you’ll always hold them dear.
Take time to say, “I’m sorry.” “Please forgive me.” “Thank you.” or “Its
okay.” And if tomorrow never comes, you’ll have no regrets about today.
One Word Count: A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of
silver. (Proverbs 25:11)
Consider the “infamous” statements below. Notice that they all could be
corrected by changing or inserting only one word!
“Everything that can be invented has been invented.” Charles Duell,
Director, U.S. Patent Office in 1899.
“Who wants to hear actors talk?” H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers Pictures, C
1927.
“Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote.” Grover Cleveland in
1905.
“There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom.” Robert
Millikan, Nobel Prize winner in physics, 1923.
“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.” Lord Kelvin, President,
Royal Society, C 1895.
To be only “one word off” can make a great deal of difference!
The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the
difference between lightning and the lightning bug.
