Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Final Farewell - The Puppet (excerpt)

"I have learned that a man only has the right to look down to another, when he has to help him to stand up. There are so many things I have been able to learn from you, but actually they won’t be of much use, because when they keep me into this case, unfortunately I will be dying.

Always say what you feel and do what you think.

If I knew today is the last time I’m gonna see you sleep, I would hug you so strong and I would ask the Lord to allow me to be the guardian of your soul. If I knew this would be the last time I’m gonna see you going out that door, I would give you a hug, a kiss and I would call you again to give you one more. If I knew this would be the last time I am gonna hear your voice, I would record each one of your words so that I can hear them forever. If I knew these would be the last moments I see you I would tell you “I love you” and I wouldn’t assume, stupidly, that you already know it.

There is always a tomorrow and life gives us the opportunity to do things right, but in case I’m wrong and today is the only thing we have left, I would like to tell you how much I love you, and that I’m never going to forget you.

No one has the certainty of a new tomorrow, young or old. Today can be the last time you see the ones you love. So... don’t wait anymore, do it today, because if tomorrow never comes, you will surely regret the day you didn’t take the time for a smile, a hug, a kiss, and that you were so occupied to give them their last wish. Keep the ones you love near you, tell them in their ear how much you need them. Love them and trate them good. Take time to tell them “I’m sorry”, “forgive me”, “please”, “thank you”, and all the lovely words you know.

Nobody will remember you for your secret thoughts. Ask God for the strength and the wisdom to express them. Show your friends how important they are to you." - various translations