Turning the tables

Its funny how when you are just starting out on your own, away from the rules and confines of your parents, how easy it is to break plans to visit your parents.

You can come up with every really good reason why you just cant make it, such as, the baby is sick or sleeping, the car isn’t working right, not enough money for gas, etc… you get the picture.

And even though (hopefully) you feel a little guilty when you make that call to break the news, you also feel a bit relieved that you don’t have to go, and then you go on with your day.

You justify in your head why it is okay not to go. They probably didn’t want to have any company visit anyway, you didn’t want to get them sick, etc…again, you get the picture.

But what you don’t know, and cant possibly know, until you are the parent waiting for that visit, is how much they do want to see you, visit with you, talk to you, hear about your busy, growing life, see their grandkids, eat with you, everything. And when you don’t come, their life does go on, but so does time and they know it.

You, in your crazy, hectic world, always expect enough time to do everything! Lives now are so instant, so immediate, that it would seem that it is not a big deal to put that visit off until the next time. There is always going to be a next time in your mind. In your mind, it is as easy and quick as the next phone call, email, text message, instant message, and it may be, but what they know that you do not, is that, it also may not be.

When you are in your 20s, 40 sounds old, and then you are there, just like that, in what appears to be an instant! Think about that, 20 years fly right before your eyes before you even know it happens. Therefore, if that is true, then just maybe, you really do not have all the time in the world to put off that visit.

Just know this for certain, they do want to see you, love you, and watch their grandchildren grow.

In addition, when you are visiting with them, then really visit with them, turn your cell phones off, listen to them, and learn about them, their lives, and their passions. They are you in 20 or more years whether you want to see it or not.

They have so much yet to teach you about your family tree. Things that just may help you in the future. Document these items, cherish the time with them, because believe me, you will be them some day, waiting for that precious visit.