| My grandma and her sister, Cecilia, got into a huge fight when their father died and never spoke to each another again. It was a shame for them to hold a grudge for so long and I was sad that I never saw my Aunt Seal again. People have lists of what they want to do or see or accomplish before they die, and I’m always interested to hear what’s on those bucket lists. But let me ask you this: Who do you want to see again before you die? It’s a question that requires some thought. It might be someone who you lost touch with, perhaps your best friend from school. Or your first love. Maybe an old co-worker. Or, like my Aunt Seal, it might be someone who you weren’t allowed to see because of a feud. Maybe a child you let someone else adopt. A sibling who left the family and never returned. Now here’s the question that interests me the most: Why? Why do you want to see those people again? Curiosity? (I’d love to see what my high school boyfriend looks like now.) To make amends, apologize for something you did to hurt them? (I should probably apologize to my dormmate for stealing her boyfriend, but that’s probably best done in a letter so I don’t get a fat lip.) To tell them you still love them? Or because holding a grudge feels like you’re drinking poison hoping they’ll die, and it’s time to put down that vial of venom? Maybe there are people you’d like to see without them seeing you. Of course, there are people who you never want to see again. People who are abusive or bring excessive drama to your life. Some people make us feel bad. Others we outgrow. And, despite how contradictory it feels, we can want nothing to do with them and yet wonder. This week, give those two questions some thought. Who would you like to see again before you die and why? Your answers might surprise you. And remember, we never know when we (or they) will die. You might want to find whoever it is while you still have the chance.  |