Work Magic, Say "I Love You"

From an Erma Bombeck column probably back in the 80s:

I thought you had to be a considerable age and possess great wisdom to appreciate how seconds can change your life. I was wrong.

W.H. "Mac" McKinzie of Arlington, Texas, was in his 40s when he noted that a young police officer in Dallas was killed in a drug bust, a youth from a local high school was fatally shot by gang members, and two teen-age employees were slain in the robbery of a sporting goods store where they worked.

It prompted Mac to write an essay that needs no editing. I rarely print material from a reader, but this is special.:

I was watching television one Thanksgiving afternoon, wondering if I would ever want to eat turkey again, when my mother called. After listening to her comments of "too stuffed to move", "never do that again", and "What do you want for dinner this weekend?", she told me to study hard. She won't quit telling me that, even thoughI just turned 41. Before we hung up she said, "I love you."

I don't mind her saying that. It's kind of reassuring, especially after some of the dumb things I have done in my life. Unfortunately, I don't have that ability. Maybe it's a guy thing. I don't remember my father saying the three magic words too often, but he was able to squeeze it out on occasion. It's a simple phrase, much simpler than most of the other worthless dribble that flows so freely from our mouths.

"I am bothered at times, because I can't remember if I told my father that I loved him before he died of cancer six years ago. I hope the Dallas police officer and the others whose lives ended so quickly were able to tell their loved ones how they felt before they were killed.

"We don't have a ticket in our hands that tells us when our lives will come to an end. I fear leaving some unfinished business, even though I have a will and other documents telling those who are left behind where I wish to rest my bones. I fear others will have some unfinished business as well. I hope they will have the opportunity to say the three magic words to their loved ones. I hope we all will get the opportunity to tell our friends and loved ones know how we feel. Excuse me... I have a phone call to make.

"One more thing. I offer this essay in honor of my mother, who is now unable to read my work because of the diabolic illness known as Alzheimer's disease. I try to make her existence as pleasant as I can and I try to use those three magic words as often as possible.

"I am sorry that I didn't use them more often when she knew what they meant."