Life is strange, isn’t it? On one hand, we know it’s short, fleeting, even. We’re constantly reminded of its fragility, yet we often live as though we have all the time in the world. Until one day, there isn’t.
The hardest thing in life is saying goodbye. Whether it’s sudden or expected, whether it comes like a thief in the night or creeps in slowly through illness, the finality of loss is something no heart is ever fully prepared for. And yet, despite this inevitability, why do we only seem to appreciate people when they’re gone? Why do we cry with regret when we had every chance to love them while they were still here?
I’ve come to believe that there are only two moments we truly, deeply mean the words “I love you” or “I miss you.” The first time is a promise, an unspoken vow of connection, and the last time is when we realize we’ll never get to say it to that person again. No matter how much you meant it every time in between, there’s something about the finality of loss that makes those words feel heavier, more profound, and infinitely more painful, like a love that will no longer have a voice.
Even for those of us who make it a point to tell our loved ones “I love you” or “I miss you” every day, there’s a strange irony. Sometimes, those words can start to feel like a routine, a habit rather than a heartfelt declaration. It’s not that we don’t mean them, it’s just that life gets in the way. We get busy, distracted, or caught up in the mundane, and the weight of those words can lose their impact. It’s only when that person is no longer there to hear them that we realize how much we truly mean to every single one.
So, what’s the lesson here? Perhaps it’s to live with more intention. To say “I love you” like it’s the first time, and like it could be the last. To appreciate the people in our lives not just in their absence, but in their presence. To break free from the routine and truly see, hear, and feel the love we have for one another.
Life is strange because it’s filled with contradictions. We know it’s short, yet we take it for granted. We love deeply, yet we often fail to express it fully. We grieve the loss of loved ones, yet we sometimes forget to celebrate them while they’re here. Maybe the strangeness of life is what makes it so beautiful, and so heartbreaking.
So today, let’s make a promise to ourselves, to love louder, to appreciate more, and to say the things we need to say before it’s too late. Because life is strange, and the only thing we can truly control is how we choose to live it and love it.
After all, the words “I love you” and “I miss you” are never just words. They’re a reminder of the connections that make life worth living. And while we may not always say them perfectly, we can always mean them deeply, starting now.
What do you think? How do you make sure your loved ones know how much they mean to you? Let’s share and reflect, because life is too strange and too short, to leave these things unsaid.
With love.
Gen
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