They say death is inevitable, and every living being will experience it. It is sad, heartbreaking, and very difficult to endure when a loved one dies. We experience shock, sickness, emotional pain, trauma, and all the unpleasant feelings that come with loss.

In my opinion, it is natural and even necessary to go through such unbearable pain when we lose someone dear to our hearts. However, I am more concerned about the kind of relationship we establish with that person while they are alive.

We often fail to demonstrate how much a person means to us or acknowledge their good deeds and charitable works when they are still breathing. Some weeks ago, tragedy struck the citizens of Turkey.

Ghanaian international footballer, Christian Atsu, was among the thousands of people who lost their lives during the devastating earthquake that hit the Turkey-Syria border on February 6. His untimely death brought an abrupt end to his life and football career, tragically robbing him of the chance to celebrate the first—and last—goal he scored for his Turkish club, Hatayspor.

Atsu was known for his charitable work, often bringing smiles to people’s faces. However, his humanitarian deeds were not widely mentioned while he was alive. Upon his passing, nearly every social media platform was flooded with tributes and documentaries praising his philanthropy, yet these praises were scarcely heard during his lifetime.

This phenomenon has become a norm in Ghanaian society, where we tend to speak well of someone only after they have passed away, rather than when they are alive. We attend their funeral services, cry loudly, and display grief—showing how much they meant to us, forgetting that we could have appreciated and celebrated them while they were still living.

Why do we express such deep sorrow at someone's funeral? Is it because we miss their presence, or are we recalling their good deeds and the positive impact they had on our lives? While it is right to say good things about someone at their funeral, it’s worth asking: what kind of relationship did we have with them? Were they a mentor, a friend, a sibling, a colleague, a parent, or a partner? Did we truly express our appreciation for them while they were alive?

We should learn to show love and appreciation while we still have the chance. As the Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Let us recognize the help and support we receive from others while they are still with us.

It has been two years since I lost a dear friend and brother, Michael Diawuo, of blessed memory. Michael was a kind person who respected both the rich and the poor. He rarely argued or fought with anyone. We grew up and went to school together until we took our BECE exams, which led to us going our separate ways.

The last time we met, we had a great conversation about how we wanted to support each other and rise to the top. Despite all of Michael's good deeds, I never had the chance to tell him how much I appreciated our friendship. Sadly, he passed away before I could.

Why don’t we take the time to cherish and value our loved ones while they are still alive? We all know that death is inevitable, and one day, it will come for us all.

I say, LET LOVE LEAD.

Dear readers, I want to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has supported me through the good and bad times.

To my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Owusu, my siblings, friends, schoolmates, and work colleagues, thank you all for your love. Rest in perfect peace, Christian Atsu, rest in peace, Michael Diawuo, and all departed souls. You will forever remain in our hearts.

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The writer is an online journalist and a freelance graphic designer with The Multimedia Group.