My wife died suddenly and I never got the chance to say, "goodbye". Similarly, I didn't get to say, "goodbye" to my father before he died. I was determined not to let that happen with Paul. The last time I saw him in the hospital we both knew that his death was somewhat imminent. As I was leaving, I told him that I loved him. He looked up at me, kissed me goodbye and said, "I love you, too". Those were his last words to me.

I wish I didn't have to hear them for another 30 years or so, but I'm comforted somewhat that I DID hear them. I find myself telling my loved ones that I love them more often now. Its not from any superstition or fear, and I'm comforted from just saying those words (and consider myself lucky that I have friends/family to whom I can say those words).