photo: zen/ BY-NC-SA

As heard on WABE-FM, Atlanta.

By Lily Moseley

It’s not easy getting along with your parents. One day, I slammed the car door and stormed away from my mom, deliberately not returning the “I love you” she called out to me. But then suddenly, I remembered, even in the midst of my anger, I should have made everything right with her instead of leaving in a state of annoyance.

I learned how important final words can really be when my mom got colon cancer. Seeing my mom in the hospital made me feel really bad about all the things that I had ever said to her that were mean. I was really careful with my words when she was sick but swore I would be just as careful when she got better.

Fortunately, my mom did recover and the experience made me realize something important: now I try to leave people with a kind word or at least with a smile because I know how unpredictable life can be.