Make Your Last Words Count

 Our words have meaning. Our words have impact. Our words can make a difference. Words can hurt, but they can also help. Words can tear down, but they can also build up. Words can leave us confused, but they can also bring clarity. Our words should not be taken lightly. As someone who has been a recipient of hurt words and one who has said hurt words to others, I know more than ever the importance of words. Today, I want to to talk about our words 🙏. But, more specifically, I want to talk about the last words we exchange or leave with others. It's the last greeting, text message, words in email, or conversation that I want to focus on specifically today. You see, two of my favorite people are no longer here with me anymore. Those two favorite people are my Mom and Dad 💜💙. It will be almost 4 years that my Mom has been gone on January 18th. My Dad has been gone almost 23 years on April 14th. From this day, I can remember last words I exchanged with each of them in their last moments. When I walked out of my Mom's hospital room that Friday night (she passed away on the Saturday morning), my last words to her was said, "See you tomorrow. Have a good night." I'll never forget her last words, "Don't forget to put the clothes away." Even with Momma not physically well, she remembered that laundry at home needed to be folded and put away. Yes, Momma was right 😊. There was laundry at home that needed to be folded and put away. You have to love Momma Sylvia 💜! She was still looking out for us, even in her last moments. I remember a few days before she went in the hospital some other last words she said to me as she gave me a hug that I will forever cherish (it was the last hug I got from her🙏). She said, "Thank you for being a good daughter." Whew! That gets to me even to this day (in a good and bittersweet way!). I was always telling her thank you. She thanked my brother in the days before she passed as well. If your parents are still here with you, appreciate them, tell them thank you and that you love them 💙💜. To my Dad at home on the Saturday night of April 13th (he passed in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 14th), my last words to him were, "Good night." He said back to me, "Good night." These were last words I exchanged with my people that I will forever cherish 💙💜. So, yes, we do remember words indeed. I'm so thankful that I was on good terms with Momma and Daddy, and no harsh words were exchanged. We never know when a moment will become the last moment 🙏. No, I wasn't a perfect daughter and they were not perfect parents. Yes, we had disagreements. We learned to work it out and make things right. I loved them so much and know God handpicked them as my parents. I wouldn't have traded them for anyone else 💙💜. Now, more than ever, I am mindful of my last words to people. I stand at my classroom door every afternoon and give greetings such as these to the students, "Have a good day!," "See you tomorrow!," and "Be safe!" Our words stick on others. If I could choose words to stick on you, it would definitely be the ones listed above 😊. I would also add these to the list depending on who it is and the context, "Take care!," "Have a good night!," and "I love you!" In the Bible, Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." When we eat something, we consume it and take it in. Words can also be consumed and taken in. Our last words to someone could make the difference between them giving up or going on. Our last words to someone could make the difference between them giving up hope or hoping again. So, let's be mindful of our last words to coworkers, classmates, family members, church family, friends, neighbors, and strangers alike in the days ahead. People can hold on to words for a long time. Let's choose wisely and make our last words count every single time. May you and your family take care and God bless you all 💖!!