I have been revisiting one of my favorite writers of all time Mike Royko. For those of you who do not know him he had a daily column in the Chicago papers for decades. He was often political, satirical, funny, brutally honest about the hypocrisies of the system, and always with great truth. Since I was a teenager I have been a huge fan of Royko, and can say with complete confidence, he is the biggest influence on my writing. However, out of the thousands of pieces he wrote one has always stood out. It was simply a letter to his readers after the sudden death of his wife.

Royko had been in love with his wife since the age of nine. No joke. They were married for twenty-five years and she was suddenly taken from him by an aneurysm at a very young age. Devastated he didn't write for weeks. However, feeling a need to thank his readers for their support during his difficult time he wrote a letter thanking them and letting them know he'd soon return. The letter ended with this simple request: In The meantime do her and me a favor. If there is someone you love and you haven't said it in awhile, say it now. Always, always say it now.

How often I forget this simple truth.

A couple years ago I suddenly lost a dear friend of mine. I think of him every god damned day. In my brain I hug this fellow and tell him I love him. I'd kill to be able to tell him that one more time. Frankly, I don't know what the last thing was I said to him, but I know it wasn't, I love you. I regret that it wasn't. I know that's life and it's how it goes, but I'd prefer it not to be. In the meantime I will try my best to live by this, if there is someone you love and you haven't said it in awhile, say it now. Always, always say it now.