THERE have been few Naked Leader Week’s to have made such an impact as ‘Sitting on a plane, back from seeing my mum in Scotland‘.
Naked Leader founder David Taylor’s weekly blogs are always insightful, unrelentingly thought-provoking and often hit you hard in the solar plexus as a reminder we are all here but for a short time. So we must make the most of it.
David’s mum, aged 90, has dementia, and he fears he has left it too late to tell her he loves her, which he does countless times on every visit, because of how her illness has taken hold.
The story reminds us that we must tell the people we love that we love them, today, now – before the moment passes when all you are left with is regret that you didn’t say something when you had the chance.
Nick Yates responded: ‘My mum passed away 17 years ago at the age of 65. She had cancer though none of us knew, not even her.
‘From going into hospital until she died, it was two weeks, but it gave me a treasured time to tell her how much I loved her. Looking back, I was so lucky to have had that time. All the grief and sadness has faded over the years and I am left with the beautiful memories of sharing my love and thanks.
‘My step-dad is still around (now 85) and I’ve not waited until he is ill to tell him I love him – time is too short and love is too precious.’
Sarah Veall added: ‘I lost my Mum to cancer in November and this resonated with me in so many ways. She was a worrier and her worrying/nurturing behaviour used to annoy me as I’d react emotionally thinking she didn’t think I was capable of looking after myself, even though I know that she just worried about her children because she loved us.
‘She never really understood what I did for a living and repeatedly referred to my “counselling stuff” (I am a coach)! Until I won a team coaching contract just days before she died and I saw the penny drop when I explained to her what it was about.
‘I loved my Mum and was deeply grateful for everything she did for me, not least bringing me into the world.
‘I was acutely aware I’d never told her that so did so just a couple of days before she died in the hospice. She was very ill and on a lot of morphine but when I thanked her for being my Mum and told her I loved her she opened her eyes and smiled momentarily.
‘I am now taking responsibility for building a closer, more open relationship with my siblings which feels really important.’
And Claire Kidd contributed this thought: Thank you David…for giving me the courage in December 2007 to look deeply into my Dad’s eyes and tell him how much I loved him and that that love and trust would always keep him safe.
‘The next day I would step onto a plane and move to a new life in Abu Dhabi with my husband and kids in the knowledge that the next time I saw him he would no longer know who I was. But would always be loved.’