As I look back on my life, I realize that everything happens for a reason. I watch the seasons of my life quickly pass me by and I think about how we are born, we live and then we die. I think of those so deep in their job that they neglect those around them.

They put off calling those they love until tomorrow and then tomorrow never does come. When you look at the words Hello, look at it as a dance. When you pick up the phone or stop it to visit a loved one and let them know you are still around; you are honoring them with that dance.

Let me tell you a story.

Roger was a man who from the time he was a young teen shut out those around him. He put his mind into his work. His mother and father both died before he was 40 and he didnt talk to either of his teen boys. He never had much of a relationship with them growing up and he had disowned his only sister.

One day Roger looked up from the piles of paper that sat on his desk. He picked up the phone to call his sister. A young woman answered the phone. Roger said, Hello is Sunetra there? The young woman answered, May I ask who is calling? Roger replied, Yes this is her brother. Uncle Roger this is Gracie, Im sorry we tried to get in touch with you but Mom died a year ago. Roger didnt know what to say. He offered his condolences and hung up the phone.

As Roger sat at his desk he thought to himself its too late. Roger put everything else in life before family and now he would never have the chance to hear his sisters voice again.

Are you like Roger? Are you married to your career? When was the last time that you called a friend, your parents, maybe even your children?

Why is it that we have funerals? Losing someone that we love is devastating. The funeral is supposed to be the time when we grieve and honor our love ones. However what if you never honored them when they were living. What if you were just like Roger.

You know I still recall after my mother stroke the Doctor saying to me your mother will never be the same person she was. My only words were she will always be my mother. I strongly felt that way. A few weeks prior to my mothers death one of the staff at the nursing home called me. She told me that my mother was crying and would I speak with her on the phone. When I asked mom what was wrong, she just said she was worried about me. So I went in that evening to see her. She sat in her wheel chair and I sat on the edge of the bed. Mom was stroking my hand softly and crying. I asked her what was wrong and this is what she told me. She said Rose I thought nobody cared anymore about me. I said, Mom why would you think that? We love you. Her reply was, Because Im a cripple.

My mother sat in a nursing home turning old and grey. She prayed that just one person would call, send a card, write or visit her that day. But no one ever did, no one had time. Friends and family they were to busy in their lives. I know we often put off in our lives many things and it times like funerals that we gather with tear filled emotion expressing our love for a loved one gone to rest. But I want to ask you, why it that we wait till a love one is has gone to gather at their gravesite and weep.

My mother was waiting for my blessing the night she died. I gave my mom my blessing telling her mom just close your eyes. She turned and looked at my brother then looked at me. I could see goodbye I love you in her eyes. Then she turned and look and the ceiling and took her last breath and she was gone. She was gone but never forgotten.

I honored my mother every day of her life and she left this world knowing that out of the many family and friends she thought she had, I was the one who asked her to dance.

Dont wait until your loved one has left this earth to honor them. Dont be like Roger or dont let your love ones die lonely and alone thinking that they are a burden. Please pick up the phone and call now and let them know that you care. Don't miss the chance to dance. Honor them today with a "Hello.