Bitter but True

Bitter but True

Life often teaches us the most profound lessons in the harshest ways. One such bitter truth is how we take people for granted when they are alive, only to realise their true worth when they are no longer with us. It’s a truth that most of us have experienced but rarely acknowledge until it’s too late.

When someone is alive, we rarely have time to truly connect with them. A passing “How are you?” is the most we muster, not because we are indifferent, but because we are too consumed by our own lives. We notice their smiles but fail to see the pain behind them. We hear their words but seldom understand the emotions hidden within. Their silences, which often scream louder than words, are ignored because we never pause to ask, “Why are you so quiet?” Their presence is a background noise we’ve grown accustomed to, but never truly appreciated.

And then, one day, they leave. Their voice, once so familiar, fades into memory. The laughter that once lit up our days is replaced by an aching void. Only then do we realise the depth of their love, their pain, and their unspoken words. Only then do we yearn for one more conversation, one more chance to truly listen, to ask, “How are you, really?”

But by then, it’s too late.

This is the bitter truth of life. We fail to value the living. We fail to invest our time, our energy, and our emotions into understanding the people around us. We let our busy lives overshadow the simple yet profound moments of connection. And when we finally realise what we’ve lost, regret is all we have left.

How often do we sit with someone and truly listen to them? How often do we set aside our phones, our distractions, and just be present? It’s in these moments of genuine connection that life’s real meaning unfolds. A person’s existence is more than their physical presence; it’s their thoughts, their emotions, their silent battles, and their dreams. But we see these only when they’re no longer visible.

It’s heartbreaking how death brings clarity to the importance of life. The same person we once ignored becomes the focal point of our thoughts. The same moments we dismissed become precious memories. And the same silence we overlooked becomes a deafening echo in their absence.

This truth is not just bitter; it’s cruel. But it also carries a lesson. A lesson to love, to appreciate, and to connect while we still can. To take that extra moment to ask, “How are you, really?” To notice the pain behind a smile, to hear the unspoken words in a silence, and to value the time we have with those we hold dear. Because time is fleeting, and life offers no guarantees.

Let us not wait for loss to teach us the value of presence. Let us cherish those around us, not just in grand gestures but in small, everyday moments. A kind word, a warm hug, a genuine conversation—these are the things that create lasting bonds and leave no room for regret.

One day, we’ll all be memories to someone. Let’s make those memories filled with love, understanding, and connection. Let’s ensure that when the question, “Why didn’t I spend more time with them?” arises, we can confidently say, “I did.”

Life is fleeting, and so are its moments. Let’s not let the bitter truth of regret overshadow the sweet truth of love.