You do not have to wait for a farewell to start treating someone like they matter.

People save their clearest affection for goodbyes, when there is nothing left to do with it. The words would land better now, in an ordinary week, when the person can still be changed by hearing them and can still say something back. Waiting turns a gift into a record.

Think of someone whose importance to you has never been stated plainly. Say it this week, in whatever form fits you. It will feel disproportionate for about a minute and then it will be one of the better things you did.