Friday, August 19, 2011

Words Left Unsaid

One of the truths about most people is that they often leave things unsaid. Some of those things are hurtful and should be left unsaid even if they are true. Many though are not hurtful and are left unsaid because of political correctness (a plague IMHO) or because they will lead uncomfortable moments. And still others are not shared because we think/hope that those close to us already know how we feel. I once heard the question/challenge, “If you were going to die tonight what would you regret having not said?…why haven’t you said it?”

Recently I had a health scare (for me) that required a routine (for the Doctor) medical procedure. I will say that the results of that procedure look promising, but we still have to wait 7-10 days before we are sure. This procedure required that I be anesthetized and that carries with it an inherent danger, they even make you sign paperwork stating that you understand the risk. Knowing this I took time the day before the procedure to write letters to those closest to me. As we drove to the hospital I told my wife where to find these letters, just in case. Now that I have come through this “routine” procedure, my wife feels that I should go ahead and send those letters out and I agree. So I will be mailing those soon, I promise.

“The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone.”
~Harriet Beecher Stowe~

p.s. If you don’t get a letter from me it doesn’t mean you aren’t important to me…maybe I plan to tell you in person.