I knew a guy who worked for me, many years ago. He was kind of a sleezeball in many ways and very dishonest (I had to fire him.) A few years later, he was caught embezzeling funds and ended up in prison.
Not someone you'd think of as soft-hearted or sentimental. He left a wife and two young kids to make it on their own.

That said, he told me once that if he could trade five years of his life for one hour with his Father, he'd gladly do it. His Father died without his ever having a chance to tell him that he loved him, and that would end up gnawing on him for the rest of his life.

A few years ago, there was a wonderful man who was on the Board Of Directors at the Museum where I worked. He was an amzing man.. all the modesty and warmth of a Frank Capra character. When he retired from the Board, I wrote him a long letter, telling him how much I respected, admired and loved him. He died very shortly after that. When his family was going through his "effects" they came across the letter. They told me at his funeral, how much the letter meant to my friend, and just as importantly, how much it meant to them in their mourning.

And then, I think of my Father who was of the old school. If my Mother complained because he never told her he loved her, he'dsay "I don't have to say I love you... I mowed the lawn (or took out the garbage or whatever recent chore he'd done) didn't I?" Showing appreciation and love through actions puts "your money where your mouth is." But that's not an adequate substitute for telling someone that you care about them. Late in life, I think my Father realized that. And told my Mother he loved her, on occasion.

And he took out the garbage until the day he died.

Jerry