If you can be there, be there.

“Don’t allow your mind to tell your heart what to do. The mind gives up easily.” — Paulo Coelho

There was a woman—70’s or 80’s—on the phone in close enough proximity to me that I could hear her. I wasn’t eves-dropping, but I heard her concluding her call abruptly, saying, “You’re so articulate and good with words. You’re going to do wonderful. Be confident. You’ll be great.” Then she said that she loved this person and hung up quickly.

I looked to my right to see the woman breakdown in tears. She was wiping tears from her face and neck, so she’d already been crying, but she’d covered it and stayed strong until she got off the call. Then she lost it.

I have no idea who was on the other side of the call. A grandchild, perhaps. Obviously someone she was proud of and wished she could be present for.

It just made me wish one thing: That she would have said, “I wish I was there.”

Her tears communicated that truth to me, but the person on the other end of the call didn’t necessarily get that message. They probably knew it. They know this sweet woman loves them and was dying inside not to be present. But it never hurts to say it out loud.

If you can be there, be there. If you can’t, tell them how much you wish you were there.