As much for me as for them

Written with a fine point pen around 9:00 pm on November 9th in bed and on a ridiculously small pad of paper.

Early this morning before dawn broke, I learned that a dear friend‘s mom passed at the glorious age of 99. Earlier this fall, her daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren pilgrimaged from across the US to gather to celebrate her birthday. How fortuitous to have had that time together, full of joy in the now. Weeks later, they gathered again to say goodbye.

I sent my friend an audio message to play for her mom expressing my deep appreciation for who she was and for the living legacy of her family. I wished her rest. 

We so rarely get to say goodbye to those we hold dear. It was a gift to me to be able to do so. I have only been able to do that twice in my life. I remember those moments and hold them close.

So on this Monday, which feels so different from last Monday, I feel compelled to tell those I love that I love them. Life is short. There is not enough love in it. 

A seven word text. Short and sweet.

No response or reciprocation required. 

Try it.

About The Author:

Jara Dean-Coffey (jdc) is Founder and Director of the Equitable Evaluation Initiative and the Founder of Luminare Group. For the past twenty-five years, she has partnered with clients and colleagues to elevate their collective understanding of the relationship between values, context, strategy and evaluation and shifting our practices so that they are more fully in service of equity. For more about musings + machinations click here.