I also had the illuminating experience of being with many people just a few days, even a few hours before their death. For a few I was the last person they saw. I must share with you that most of these visits were filled with regrets. The reason I am telling this to you is so we all don't make the same mistakes. What I heard was like a condensed version of their life.
People have a tendency near death to look back at their life and examine it.
What I heard were the many regrets for not living life to its fullest. I don't remember ever hearing any regrets for believing too much, trusting too much, laughing too much or loving too much. All the regrets were based on holding back, not going far enough, not giving enough, not loving enough, not taking the chance, not saying what they wanted to say, not taking the risk, not living life totally. Lets not wait until it is too late, lets not have a list of unfulfilled wishes and unlived dreams as the final hour approaches. Take the chance, take the leap, dare to make this life rich and love and live it to your fullest potential.