Bidding our final goodbyes

For a moment, you think you are ready to embark on your final journey. Your private papers and your will, completed and done. Are you ready to leave?

In her book, 'Top 5 Regrets of Dying', Bronnie Ware (a palliative carer) shared with us the regrets of the people on their death bed. In it, she listed the Top 5 Regrets experienced by those drawing their last breath:
• Not having the courage to live their own life, instead of living a life expected by others
• Working too hard and not spending enough time with loved ones
• Not having the courage to express their feelings
• Staying in touch with friends
• Letting themselves be Happy

Perhaps there is still time for us to pen or type our last letters to those we care about, to those who matter to us.
Let them know how much they mean to us, how we love them, and how proud we are of them. Perhaps we have told them so before, but inscribed words, unlike oral, have longevity. In some instances, we may find it difficult to verbalize our feelings and prefer to pen it down instead.

We can also take the opportunity to apologize. If our actions have brought them pain, or if we have done them wrong. It is never too late to say sorry. One letter alone may not undo the suffering inflicted, but perhaps, it may soothe the wound or let us (or the recipient) feel better. Should we decide to reach out while still healthy, this letter might be the spur we need to fix the relationship.

Keep in mind that this letter should be full of love and terms of endearment, not hate nor spite. So, we can also seek to forgive those who were less than kind to us. Let them know that we have moved on. It's solace for them, and liberating for us.

Last but not least, thank those who have loved and cared for us, and bid our final goodbyes.

Keep the last letters in a safe place with the important papers as part of our estate plan. Or arrange for it to be delivered at some future time, it shall be an enduring gift to those who matter.