I learned on January 21, through a post from FB Messenger, that a dear friend of mine from high school had passed away. It was the first really sad moment of 2021 for me. The last time I had spoken to Cristy was on Christmas Day when she had called me back in response to a Merry Christmas greeting I sent on Christmas eve. It was a brief conversation, exchanged the usual pleasantries. There was not indication that there was anything amiss. In any case I was really glad we had spoken. The last time we greeted each other was on her birthday in September. She had been a good friend. We kept in touch for a few years after high school and we lost touch and grew apart for decades but re-kindled our friendship and kept in touch since my first visit back to the Philippines decades after I left for the U.S. when I was a junior in high school.

My posts so far has been filled with personal tragedies and I hope to change that. My main purpose for these posts is not to depress anyone, it is quite the contrary. I wanted to give an example to others on how important it is to keep in touch with those that are dear to us, on a regular, albeit at times, infrequent basis. Everyone has an expiration date and we do not know when.

If you have been thinking about someone, send them a note, a voice message, even just a picture or a smile. Keep the fire lit between you and your connections, instead of wishing you had after they are already gone.