(~) The Last Gift!

By Bob Perks

“What would it be that I would give to you right now if I knew it would be my last gift?”

I had no idea where that came from. My friend and I were talking and suddenlyI blurted that out.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying,”he replied.

“You know how at certain times in your life you think about what you would do if you knew you didn’t have much time left?”I asked.

“Well, yes. At this point in my life I think about that often,” he told me.

“You hear about these things all the time. The guy who went off to work and forgot to say “I love you!” to his family. Something tragic happens and he spends the rest of his life regretting that one single moment,”I said.

“Yes, how very sad it is indeed,”he said.

“We were quick to be reminded of this as all the stories of September 11th unfolded. Last minute phone calls, warm, loving, unexplained goodbyesbefore leaving for work. Those last gifts will remain forever.” I said.

“So, what makes you think about all of this? You’re not trying to tell me something bad, are you?”he asked.

“No, but I am trying to tell you something good,”I replied.

“If I haven’t told you this before, let this be my gift to you today. I love you for who you are and all that you bring into this world. I am honored to call you my friend.”

I hugged him and wewalked away.

The Last Gift to you, my friend…

What gift would I give you if this would be my last gift?

What value would our final goodbye hold for you if I were just to say “So long!” and walk away?

What purpose would there be in the final moments of our time together if I wasted it in small talk and unimportant chatter?

I would want to know I left you here with something more important.

I would want to think that after I was gone, you’d suddenly remember the last thing that I said to you and hold it close to your heart.

So from this moment on, I will carefully choose the words I say to you in those final moments, no matter how many times we turn and walk away.

I will promise from this day forth I will never end a conversation in anger.

I will never walk away in silence, for saying nothing means I felt you unworthy of an explanation.

No, my friend. Each time we say goodbye I will wrap my last gift to you in love and respect and if it be the last gift, I pray you would treasure it forever.

So…

“If I haven’t told you this before, let this be my gift to you today. I love you for who you are and all that you bring into this world. I am honored to call you my friend.”

“I believe in you!”

Bob Perks