What We Take With Us When We Die

When I sit at the bedside of someone who is about to die, I often become the receiver of their life story, a quiet witness to their reflections, memories, and truths. Most of the time, I hear about love, family, friendships, and laughter, the moments that made life rich and meaningful. But often, woven between those memories, are whispers of regret. Not the kind about missed vacations or unfulfilled dreams, but the deeper kind, wishing they had spent more time with the people they love, or that they had let go of anger, pride, and disappointment sooner. It’s remarkable how quickly we can walk away from those we love when we feel hurt or misunderstood, yet when we reach the end, it’s the broken connections and unresolved emotions that weigh heaviest.

There are people in my own life whom I have chosen to step away from. I’ve sat with that decision and realized that peace doesn’t always mean reconciliation, sometimes, it’s acceptance. I can wish them well, be grateful for the time we shared, and still honor the space that now exists between us. Making peace with that means I don’t carry the burden of regret when my own time comes.

So, how do we live without regret? I think it comes down to this: we can either do the hard work to mend what’s been broken, meeting each other where we are with compassion and grace, or we can release what no longer fits, but still choose forgiveness and peace. Either way, we free ourselves. Because one day, when we look back, the question that will matter most isn’t “Was I right?” but “Did I love well and without regret?”

xo

Gabby