Once again this week I listened to someone regretting that he never had a chance to make up with his brother. They didn’t talk for years and before he had a chance to “make things right” his brother died.

Both brothers were in their 80s. I didn’t say what I was thinking because it wouldn’t be polite or helpful. But the brothers were in advanced years. What I wondered was, did they think they would live forever?

I suspect it was another case of thinking they would make up “some day.” Many of us fall into the trap of never getting around to doing what we want to do.

We often plan to do something but life gets in the way and we never get around to taking action.

Many of us let time slip away, caught up in jobs, family responsibilities and everyday life.

My sister Maryann and I were determined not to let busy schedules keep us from being there for each other. We both had demanding jobs with long hours, and we both found it difficult to carve out free time. But when it came to being with family we didn’t let anything interfere with being there being with each other for important occasions. We both believed family time was sacred.

Prioritizing family was a value passed down to us by our father.

My dad and Maryann lived three hours away from me and the rest of our family. Three hours doesn’t sound like a long trip, but throw in city traffic and it takes determination. Dad and Maryann both made it look easy, but my brother and I weren’t comfortable driving in unfamiliar city traffic. But being with family made it worthwhile.

I made sure I was there for my sister’s 40th birthday. It was just the two of us having a leisurely dinner in her favorite restaurant but “time to talk” made the day special for both of us.

Sometimes when there aren’t a lot of people there to divert attention it becomes better for meaningful one-on-one conversation.

In years to come I especially treasured that day because my time with my sister was all too brief. She died before her 44th birthday.

While I will always miss her and my heart aches at her absence, I am comforted by the fact that we made the most of the time we did have together.

Maryann’s early death probably helped give me the motto “Do it now.” Don’t wait. It may be too late if you wait too long.

I thought about that in a different concept when I was thinking about my precious friend Priscilla.

We have been best friends for decades, beginning when we each had babies. When I moved to Florida, Priscilla came for a week’s vacation and ended up buying a home before she left. She said she always wanted to be near me because “we were good for each other.”

That was true. Her humor and wonderful laughter made every day a party. And she valued my input for important matters.

While Priscilla lived miles away we managed to see each other for a few month every year. That time was important to both of us and we couldn’t foresee a time when we didn’t see each other. But age and physical problems changed her ability to travel. Phone calls keep up close, but that’s a poor substitute for being with each other.

I have been missing her, feeling like a part of me was amputated. Lately I have been reminiscing about all the times we were there for each other during crucial events. I feel wrapped in love when I think about Priscilla.

What dawned on me was that I needed to tell her more than “I miss you.” I needed to tell her how much I love her and thank her for the difference she made in my life.

We don’t really do that with friends and all too often we don’t do it with those we love.

Why is that?

Why do we seldom find the words to express our love?

I’m not talking about a fast mumbled “I love you.” All too often those words become rote. It’s much more meaningful if we tell someone special WHY they are special to us.

One thing that holds us back is that feel awkward expressing deep emotions to a friend.

Here’s a question for you. Why do many of us find it easier to express our anger or our disappointment than it is to tell someone loving words?

Do we ever tell a friend why they are special to you?

I finally did that with Priscilla and it was a deep, meaningful conversation neither one of us will ever forget.

Like most people, I don’t always get around to doing the nice things I want to do.

Sometimes someone I met years ago but haven’t seen in a long time continues to influence me.

I always think I will tell them, but I get buried in life’s problems and seldom get around to my good intentions.

Perhaps you have the same problem.

Life is short. Much shorter than we realize.

Here are words to live by: Do it now.

If you have important sentiments you have never taken the time to express, do it now.

Email Pattie Mihalik at newsgirl@comcastnet