Monday, January 25, 2010

Funny How Time Slips Away . . .























I have been going through boxes and boxes of old pictures - they bring back sooooo many memories!  I look at myself and my sweet husband and it sure does not seem like it has been almost 38 years since I met him, almost 36 years married!  It seems like it was just yesterday that we were married and had our first sweet daughter.  And what happened to my son, why, he's all grown up and much taller than his father.  And seriously, all I did was blink and my baby was all grown up with children of her own!  Did I ever think that this day would come?  The answer is NO.  

Today, I was at the dentist office getting some work done and I was listening as my dentist was talking to his assistant.  They were talking about quality  time that you spend with your children.  He said that he was in a meeting and they were told that most parents don't even spend 2 minutes, eye-to-eye, talking to their children or their spouse.  He said that they told him that just 2 minutes a day will make all the difference in every part of their life, including their IQ.  My dentist thought that this would be an easy challenge, so he decided to give it a try.  He said that sitting and talking to his 10 year old daughter for two minutes was the hardest thing he had done for a long time!  He vowed to change things that instant, because he didn't want to lose any time with his children or his spouse, because life is so short.  Then he looked at me and said, "Isn't it funny how time slips away?" 

That really made me stop and think about my life and all the missed opportunities I have had, or I should say, caused.  I'm going to make it my goal to talk to my husband, eye-to-eye, for 2 minutes each day - not just idol chatter, but a real conversation.  Really, that should not be hard, we used to talk for hours on end!   If time is indeed slipping away so quickly, I at least want what time we have left to be quality time.  I sometimes think that we know more about other people than we do those who are closest to us, because we listen to them.  I want to be a better listener, I love to talk, but listening is so important.  So what do you think, should we try this for 10 days?  I'll let you know how it goes . . .



Don't you just love Willie?

Blessings,

7 comments:

Karen Beth said...

I am game. I agree so much with what you have said. Time goes by so fast. I was looking at Doug up on the stand at church yesterday and I was remembering the first time I saw him and how I was head over hills and still am with him. But I hardly get to see or talk to him lately. He deserves my attention and so do the rest of my family including you. I love you. Thanks for putting things in perspective for me. Sleep tight.

Susan B said...

What an inspiring post! I will join you in this. I sometimes pull myself up, and realize I don't spend enough time listening to my family. Often I'm on the computer, or reading, or watching tv, and sometimes only give them half of my attention. The members of my family are the most important people in my life, and I should treat them that way. If the situation was reversed, I would expect the same thing from them. Thank you a great post!

Packrat said...

I'm game, too. Thank you for the reminder about who is important in our lives.

Barb, I sent you an email and will add to it and send it again. The subject line will say "from Packrat". Hugs on this rainy morning.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

A wonderful post!!!!!!

Thank you!!!

Heather B. said...

Agreed! I have noticed lately that I just let Kyle play on his own, and sometimes go whole days without getting down on the floor and just playing with him. It makes such a difference, and I learn so much about him, if I just take the time to play with him.

The Halls said...

That is a great challenge. I really think that it will make a difference in any relationship to stop and have a good conversation.

Sharon said...

I agree Barb talking makes such a difference in our lives and not just idle chatter like you said but real conversation. This is a good challenge :)

Have a blessed day and thank you for visiting me :)

Sharon

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