From the book This Could Help by Patrick Rhone:

Why wait for the eulogy to state what someone means to you? If someone’s life and accomplishments have great meaning the day after they are gone, my bet is they had even greater meaning the day before. Tell them today — right now — while you have the chance. Because this moment may be your only chance. Because none are guaranteed.

You never know how it might have an impact on someone who needs to hear it. We so often do not get the full story. Even from those we are close to. A kind word of gratitude for who someone is and what they mean to you could make someone’s day or even save their life.

I’m generally adverse to aphorisms, but I’m also a frequent sender of thank you notes, and I gotta tell you, thanking someone is way better than not thanking them and then having them up and die.

Saying thanks is also much more satisfying than complaining.

(Pro tip: telling someone who is dying what they’ve meant to you will not make them die faster, nor make them think you’re ready for them to die; there’s only an upside).