By Audra Ohm

If I knew it was the last time we would talk over coffee at the kitchen table.

I would have asked more questions, put my phone down and turned off the cable.

If I knew it was the last time we went for a walk together.

I would have walked a bit slower and talked more than just about the weather.

If I knew it was the last time I would have you in the passenger seat.

I would have let you pick the music and pretended to like the beat.

If I knew it was the last I would have you for the holiday.

I would have spent less time cleaning and more time with you that day.

If I knew it was the last time I would see you walk through the front door.

My eyes would have looked up from my phone and the mess wouldn’t matter anymore.

If I knew it was the last time I would feel your embrace.

My hand would have held on a little while longer, I would have studied every wrinkle on your face.

If I knew it was the last time I would hear your laughter, see your smile, kiss you goodbye or watch a tear fall from your eye.

I would have paused for a minute and let the minor things slip right by.

If I knew it was the last time we would be in a fight.

I would have let you win, and not let the light go out that night.

If I knew it was the last time I would hear you say my name, and whisper I love you in my ear.

I would say it back a million times over just the same.

If I only knew it was the last time, but I didn’t. Who really does? Each moment we are given is a gift from above.

Time isn’t our friend. It moves and goes way to fast.

It stops for some too soon and then it becomes the past.

My hope is I will always remember to treat those I love as if I knew it was their last.