Taking Each Other For Granted
My mother and sister came to visit this weekend. I wish I had more time to spend with them. I had to spend a lot of time doing spring sing stuff.
At one point I almost left my mom to go grab a milkshake with some buddies. I wasn't thinking. I figured I'd have time later to go eat with her and talk. Thankfully someone pointed out how stupid I was being and so I ended up going to dinner with my mom. I guess I just took for granted that she was there. I do that often. I do so now less than I used to, but I still do it. I often fall into the trap of assuming that these people will be around forever.
That's a dangerous thing to assume. Our culture creates so much stuff for occupying time that separates us from each other. I see people with their noses stuck in their i-phone while people are standing all around them. I'm not trying to suggest that technology or solitude is evil, but it's a good idea to see what place it holds in your life.
This past winter break I watched very little TV and played very few video games. I spent a lot of time with friends and my family. I feel like I didn't waste any of that time. I made some really good memories. One of the things I love about my family is our dinnertime conversations. When we all sit together and eat, we seem to lose a sense of time. There's just a feeling of pleasure in being in each other's presence. We're not anxious to get done with the meal to go watch whatever's on the television. We sit there and relish each other's company.
If you haven't sat in a diner and had an involved three hour conversation with someone, you're missing out on one of the finer things in life. Don't take the people that you love for granted.
August 31st, 2009 - 18:46
Amen!