In a few short weeks Family Day will be observed in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan. This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life to people and their communities.
Even though I’m really looking forward to having this day off work next month to spend with my family, it will be a little bitter-sweet.
Yesterday morning one of my dearest friends lost the father of her three beautiful children in a tragic accident. My heart goes out to that entire family; especially the two little girls and the little boy.
Any loss of a friend or loved one tends to put everything in my life into perspective. Even more so since I’ve had my daughter.
So many of us go through life in such a zombie like routine that it flies by before we have a chance to realize it. How many can honestly say that we spend as much quality time with our family or close friends as we probably should?
I recently asked a family member if they would like to bring their children over and go tobogganing on the giant hill behind our house, I was told that between sports and other commitments we would have to call weeks in advance to even see them as they are so busy.
When did we become a society where drive thru on the way to a class or practice becomes a family dinner, or that I need to book weeks ahead so my ladybug can see some of her extended family?
If you ever get the chance and have some free time (I know easier said than done especially when you have kids) there is an older movie from Walt Disney called “The Straight Story”. The Readers Digest version: it’s based on a true story of an elderly man who makes the emotional journey across country to make amends with his estranged brother who has just had a stroke. It’s not action packed, animated or 3D just a good old fashion heartwarming film.
I do suggest having a box of tissue and a phone close by. Chances are you will cry and I hope it will encourage you to get in touch with a family member or close friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. Maybe it’s because you’re too busy or perhaps you’ve had a falling out. Harsh words were spoken or nowadays emailed or texts sent. Words are just words and as hurtful as they can be it’s the actions that will always speak louder. Life is too short and precious to hold grudges, anger, and to always be busy.
No matter what you’ve done for yourself or for humanity, if you can’t look back on having given love and attention to your own family, what have you really accomplished?
— Elbert Hubbard
I’ll be the first to admit that even I’m guilty of becoming to busy or growing apart, if you will, from extended family members/friends. This day and age it’s nearly impossible not to.
The thing I need to remember and I hope encourages you to think about are all those sports/activities, appointments, and meetings in the grand scheme of things, are just trivial. It’s family and close friends that are what’s really important in life.
Little Ladybug Hugs 