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 seat belt, 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.
After the customary, routine thoughts that flood one’s mind after a “close call,” I realized how (if the worst had happened) relieved I would have been that my last words had been playful and were along the lines of, “Hurry back, I miss you already you know…” I would have been relieved that our relationship was on solid, ridiculously happy and downright silly ground.
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.
We have to realize that anything can -and often does – happen. We need to always do OUR part to make sure our relationships are all solid and to go out of our way to make all parting words kind… the sort of words that would never haunt you.
Whether you’re a husband, a wife, a parent, a son, or a daughter: Treat your relationships with your loved ones like the treasures they are.
You never, ever, ever know what train’s going to ride into your life. Don’t let regrets be on board.
Self Love says
January 6, 2009 at 9:05 pmIt 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.
tom says
January 14, 2009 at 12:10 pmYou 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.
joi says
January 15, 2009 at 3:30 pmExactly! 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.
shamim sadiq says
January 15, 2009 at 4:03 pmaimverticallynothorizontally.com
tom says
January 17, 2009 at 8:15 pmeveryday 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