Abby: “Gibbs, I want to celebrate the fact that you are a builder and . . . a catcher of bad guys, and a man of gleaming silver hair.”

Gibbs: “Abby, what are you doing?”

Abby: “People said such nice things about Tom Morrow this morning, and it just made me realize that we shouldn’t wait until people are gone to celebrate them, so I’m starting a movement:  #LivingRocks. Although I’m a little bit afraid that people might think I’m talking about an actual rock that’s alive, although that would be really exciting, too.”

McGee: “Abby, I think the fact that you’re celebrating people is awesome.”

Abby: “McGee, I want to celebrate that you can light up a room as fast as you can ping a phone.”

McGee: “Well, thanks . . .”

So goes the conversation in the lab of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service—or NCIS, as the television drama is known. Their former director, Tom Morrow, had died in the line of duty, and his funeral had taken place that morning . . . a service where people obviously did what you do at funerals—share memories and observations that speak highly of the individual.  And Abby Sciuto, quintessential science geek and quirky genius, has come to a monumental conclusion.  Everyone waits until you’re gone to say nice things about you.  Perhaps instead, they should strive to say nice things to you.  And so begins her #LivingRocks campaign.

I know we all have people in our lives who are our living rocks . . . the anchors that hold us in place through the storms . . . the roots that have nourished and supported us through the years.  Have you told them how much you appreciate them?  Have you taken the time to simply say thank you . . . and I love you?  Or to possibly even return the favor? It’s so easy to believe there’ll always be another opportunity.  Another chance to tell someone how much they mean to you. But we all know, even if we’re unwilling to acknowledge it, that the day will come when there are no more opportunities.

In this season of thanksgiving, midst the chaos of life and the holidays and all that goes with each, take the time.  Find the people who mean the most to you and tell them.  Tell them. Don’t wait until tomorrow or the “right moment” or the next time you see them.  Make the time.  Make the opportunity.  Make the effort so you can say it to them . . . not about them.  Let’s start our own movement in real life and keep it going all year long.

#LivingRocks.

About the author:  Lisa Shackelford Thomas is a fourth generation member of a family that’s been in funeral service since 1926.  She has been employed at Shackelford Funeral Directors in Savannah, Tennessee for over 40 years and currently serves as the manager there.  Any opinions expressed here are hers and hers alone, and may or may not reflect the opinions of other Shackelford family members or staff.

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