Let's Wake Up and Appreciate What We Have!

This past summer I have become a big believer in that old saying "You don't know what you've got till it's gone". My wife and kids are visiting some family members and I am home all alone. When I heard that this was going to happen I was a little excited. I thought it might be nice to get out of changing diapers and listening to little kids cry. I figured that I would rent some movies and maybe do a little fishing and golfing. Needless to say they had only been gone a few days and I found myself very bored. I miss their little voices and even their unpleasant smells. I missed my wife and her beautiful smiling face, which I see often if I behave myself. The time away gave me an opportunity to appreciate what I have and how much I love them. Why is it that we have to wait until they aren't around before we realize how much we want and need our family in our lives? I suggest that we cherish the time we have together before that time slips away.

I am guilty of not showing my appreciation for my parents and siblings until I left home for a couple of years. It was during this time that I realized how much I depended on them and enjoyed interacting with them. Once I was able to live closer to them I began to develop some close relationships. I would look forward to seeing them and calling them on the phone. Then what happened? I moved three states away and wasn't able to see them very often. After three years in the Midwest I moved back to my home state and began fostering those relationships with family members once again (at least with those that lived somewhat nearby). We don't know what is going to happen throughout our lives. Some of us live a long time while others are only here for a brief period. We must make the most of that time and be with our families. As soon as my wife reads this she will probably pass out because it seems as though I am always grumbling a little when she suggests that we go visit our family members for the weekend (some more than others). Her determination and perseverance is starting to pay off because I am finally beginning to understand. I swore that she would never change me. Actually, if I am smart I will let her change a lot of things.

People say that your kids grow up so fast. It is true. Mine are still little but they change so much everyday. When I don't see them for a couple of days it seems as though they are so different. My son called me on the phone the other day and said that he wanted to come home and told me to come and get him. I would be lying if I said that I didn't tear up a little. My wife told me that every night while they were away he would ask for me and say that he wanted to come home. I was very much looking forward to seeing them again. When they come home I decided I was going to take advantage of the time we have together. I needed to spend less time pursuing my interests and more time being with my wife and children. I am truly the happiest when I am with them, and that is how it should be. A really smart guy named David O. McKay said, "No success in this life can compensate for failure in the home". Let's spend less time trying to be successful in the eyes of the world and more time being successful in the eyes of our family.

Family needs to be our main priority in life. Can you imagine what this world would be like if family became everybody's main priority? I would bet to say that this world would probably be a little better than it currently is. Hobbies are a good thing to have and everybody needs a little alone time every now and then. What we can't do is let those hobbies and our jobs take large amounts of time away from our family. Now some jobs are different and we have to be away from them at times. I think that is ok as long as we take full advantage of the time that we do get with them. Families don't need a lot of money to be happy; they just need to be together. We need to play and laugh together. My hope is that I can put aside my worldly needs and take care of my families needs.