Do it today!
Polly’s son, Jim, had great difficulty in school. He was classified as
educationally handicapped and required a great deal of care and patience on
the part of his parents and teachers. But Jim was a happy kid with a great
smile. His parents acknowledged his academic difficulties, but always tried
to help him see his strengths so that he could live with pride. Shortly after
Jim finished high school, he was killed in a motorcycle accident. After his
death, his mother submitted this letter to the newspaper.
Today we buried our 20-year-old son. He was killed instantly in a
motorcycle accident on Friday night. How I wish I had known when I talked
to him last that it would be the last time. If I had only known I would have
said, “Jim, I love you and I’m so very proud of you.”
I would have taken the time to count the many blessings he brought to the
lives of the many who loved him. I would have taken time to appreciate his
beautiful smile, the sound of his laughter, his genuine love of people.
I won’t get another chance to tell my son all I would have wanted him to
hear, but you, other parents, you do have a chance. Tell your young people
what you would want them to hear if you knew it would be your last
conversation. The last time I talked to Jim was the day he died. He called me
to say, “Hi, Mom! I just called to say I love you. Got to go to work. Bye.” He
gave me something to treasure forever.
If there is any purpose at all to Jim’s death, maybe it is to make others
appreciate more of this life and to have people, especially families, take the
time to let each other know just how much we care and love.
You may never have another chance. Do it today!
- Robert Reasoner
