My intention in writing this article is for it not to be a lament but to be a reminder to me, and perhaps to you. I recently came across two simple yet profound truths: everything that has a beginning must also have an ending, and the only constant in life is change. Holding both thoughts in my mind, I felt compelled to write this article as a gentle nudge—for myself as much as for you—to pause, to notice, and to remember the importance of expressing love and appreciation while we still have the chance.
When was the last time you told your loved ones that you love them? I know how easy it is to get caught up in the next task, the next meeting, or the next trip out the door. Occasionally, I move so quickly that I forget to stop, look back, and say the simple words: “I love you.” Those moments slip away quietly, unnoticed, until we wonder when we last spoke them aloud.
When was the last time you expressed appreciation to a colleague or a friend—not just for what they do, but for who they are? Gratitude doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It can be as simple as acknowledging someone’s effort, their presence, or their quiet support. Those words may mean more than we realize.
And what about the last time you stood still to watch the sunrise, or let yourself linger as the clouds drifted by overhead? The beauty of life is offered to us daily, yet often we rush past without seeing it. Even something as ordinary as the food on our plate is a story of gratitude—the gardener who planted the seed, watered the soil, harvested the crop, and set it out with a handwritten sign that read “help yourself.” Sometimes, that gardener is a neighbor. Sometimes, it is even me.
Lately, I’ve been intentional about meeting my neighbors during my morning and evening walks. After four years of living in our historic district, I realized I only knew the folks in our own condo building, a renovated 1927 grade school. In a single day of introductions, I met four neighbors and listened to the stories of their historic homes, and learned about their families and their lives. What a delight it was to share those small connections that remind us we belong to something larger than ourselves.
And so, my reminder to myself—and perhaps to you as well—is to live more mindfully, more present in each moment. To notice. To express. To connect. If you’ve read this far, thank you. I appreciate you!