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I’ve said it a million times before, but it bears repeating, so hold on for 1,000,001. You never, ever, ever know what the next moment is going to bring into your life. In fact, at any given time, your world could be changed forever.
When my husband ran for the Sunday papers yesterday morning, it was as routine as a teenager talking on the phone. What wasn’t routine was the fact that he was in a wreck on the way home.
Thank God, it was a wreck he walked away from. If he hadn’t been wearing a seatbelt, I’m certain I wouldn’t be writing these words right now. I’d be with him at the hospital or worse… a “worse” that my mind doesn’t want to visit.
It was just another example of how fast and how dramatically things can change. It’s also another example of why we should always keep our lives and relationships in order. We honestly never know if we’ll have tomorrow (or this afternoon, or this evening..) to tell our loved ones that we love them or to make sure our children know how proud we are of them.
I’m not saying that we should go around each day as though a tragedy could come swooping down on us at any time. That’s not living – I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it isn’t living.
What I’m saying this: There are exceptions, and I’m fully aware of the fact, but more times than not (when it comes to relationships as well as just about anything), we reap what we sow. If we have any relationships in our life that aren’t as close as we’d like them to be, we are at least partly to blame.
Some people get so busy with work, bills, ambition, etc. that they never switch off. They are, from the time they get up in the morning until the time they go to bed in the evening, in full out “Make more, Do more, Spend more, Have more!” mode. So much so that they forget to be a family member. They forget (neglect?) to just sit and watch a couple of Andy Griffith reruns with their spouse or a football game with their children. They stop taking the family out for supper – Heaven forbid anything pull them away from their business. Sit and listen to what’s going on in their daughters’ lives? Yeah, right!
You can almost see the “What’s in it for me?” in a bubble over their head.
We are becomming far too busy as a generation and the next one will pay for it. How’s that for not mincing words?
I don’t know how many times my husband and I drove by parks this summer that were practically empty. I always wondered, “Where are the families?” Then I’d picture where they probably were – all separately doing their own things, with the parents working like mad trying to make more money to buy the kids more things. Ironically, what the kids need more than anything is the parents – not what the parents can buy them.
As for daughters and sons, they aren’t going to get off so easily! How about the ones who want mom and dad to be there if they need money, a favor, advice, and so on, yet they don’t have the time of day for their parents otherwise? There are parents who, when they see that their son/daughter is calling them, wonder aloud what they need. It shouldn’t be that way, it shouldn’t be that way, it shouldn’t be that way.
Whether you’re a husband, a wife, a parent, a son, or a daughter – I’ve said all of that just to say this: Treat your relationships with your loved ones like the treasures they are. If your mistakes are in the past, give a little shout – that’s the best place for them!
If you know, in your heart or hearts, that you could have done things differently, could have been less critical, should have worked on your temper, should have “shown up more,” etc. – start TODAY, then keep it up. In no time at all the person you wish you’d been will be the person you are.
You never, ever, ever know what train’s going to ride into your life. Don’t let regrets be on board.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
It often takes a near miss or worse to make us realize how we take for granted, sadly this usually fades as things return to ‘normal’ – if we can learn to appreciate each day I know we will be better off for it.
You touch on a very interesting topic. A topic I have begun thinking deeply about.
I mean, why is there so many issues with families. Your parents go to work, come home at 5 or later and barely have time for you, and this is how you raise your kids? You got to be kidding me.
Better yet, as you said, people get caught up in this routine that when confronted, they use excuses to justify that they are doing it for the family.
That’s a load of crap because you never asked if your wife or kids wanted to see you 3 hours each day.
There are much better things to do in life than run around for a job you are in just for the money.
Exactly! I hate when people have excuses for things that really have no excuse. But when it comes to family matters, people can be totally defensive. I just think the world would be a much better place if people focused more on their relationships and less on money.
aimverticallynothorizontally.com
everyday i am convinced that i should first save myself and live a fulfilling life instead of trying to rescue others, especially if they don’t want to be rescued or don’t “see the light”
tom’s last blog post..What Fear of Rejection really is