Photograph of daughter Alexandra and I when she was just 10 months old.
Remember when a family member or close friend asked you to do something for them or with them? What was your response?
I do remember mine,unfortunately.
For most people,they tended to have some excuse they gave such as “I don’t have time right now” or “I have plans with so and so”,or “maybe later on”. I use to say pretty much the same things in my response back until I learned better.
In this world,people tend to take everything for granted,especially Americans,such as convincing themselves that they can put off doing something nice for another or saying something nice to another until later on when its more convient for them.
People tend to forget this fact about life,No one is promised the next minute in their life! I use to have more excuses than I had allowance money on me when I was a teen-age kid and one day after all of the excuses were given,it was too late,my grandfather had passed away and do you think I felt relieved from having to fabricate more excuses down the line? No,I had a much worser weight to carry around!
I had to live with the fact that I put off doing some special things with my grandfather and letting him know how much I loved him because I took something for granted,thinking I had time to do it all later, a luxury no one has in reality.
So please people,whenever someone close to you,a friend,family member,girl/boyfriend,asks you to do something with them,for them,do it then,don’t err like I and so many others have already by thinking you always have tomorrow. No one is promised tomorrow,No One! We live only within that moment in time,any more are gifts not to be taken lightly or for granted. Ones age has no factor on tomorrows.
Today, I don’t create a list of excuses,yes there are times in ones life when an excuse is a legitimate one such as one has to work that day,etc but I strive to spend as much time with my daughter and other family members every opportunity I have.
A question remains to ask your own self.
Will you do the same or continue making excuses until there is no more reason to make them?
Jeffrey P Struck
Gardner,Massachusetts,01440
July 28, 2008 at 5:16 pm |
Jeffrey,
Usually we find out the truth to what you say after it is too late. I miss the people who have already gone before us and wish I could let them know what a difference they made in my life and how much they are loved still.
As we get older the frequency will increase. It is the nature of life. Stop, tell someone who is still with us that you cherish their friendship, love, attention.
Thanks, Jeffrey, for the moment to reflect.
RICK
Rick Lelchuk
Miami, FL, USA
July 29, 2008 at 12:54 pm |
I was always the one that got called when my parents needed help. Now that I can look out my window and see mom reading her morning newspaper ~ it is an every day responsibility. I have two brothers and a sister that pretty much go about their own lives. Only one has a clue as to the huge demand on my life.
I’m in it for the long haul and although it can be very stressful ~ I love my family and accept that this is what God has planned for my life.
Before my parents moved in I tried to take care of my grandparents. They was another story entirely. One day after I had washed/dried/folded and put away their bath towels ~ I returned to find them still folded and put in the dirty clothes hamper. I asked Gram why and she replied “They look dingy” Then when I would set something out to thaw in the fridge for the next days supper ~ I would find it back in the freezer. This behavior went on for 6 months until I finally informed their seven children that I couldn’t do it anymore.
They finally moved to FL to live with their daughter that treated/bossed them like little children. Although I much disapproved of their treatment I beleive Gram learned a valuable lesson in her last years.
You see, regardless of how passionate we are about helping others ~ there are times when we have to accept that it’s not our place. I’m trying to teach my own mother this and I think I’m finally getting through. She has helped people all her life but now when she tries helping them she is actually putting more load on me. Just a week ago she finally told someone NO ~ I was so proud of her!
Take care friend!