Need to stop taking things for granted.

I had lunch with my friend Anh two hours ago and on the way home I thought, "Wow, she works so close and this is the first time we have lunch together." I feel so bad about neglecting my friends. We sometimes take for granted the people we care about and realize our mistake only when it's too late. We are always too busy, too busy, and rely on the "I can always see them next week" excuse. Now I don't have that, I will be leaving soon and I won't see my friend until next year, unless she takes her vacation in Japan.
I also don't spend enough time with my nephews or my parents. Of course I chit chat with them daily, but I never show them how much they mean to me. Okay, I do hug and kiss my nephews and tell them how cute they are and how much I love them, but they think I am only doing that to annoy them. Lately I've been trying to spend more quality time with my parents and I sit and chit chat with them but I realize it is only because I know I wont see them for at least a couple of months ( I am still hoping they will visit me). I feel like there isn't enough time to soak up as much of them as possible.