What it means to love Part 1 of 4
Part 1 of 4 What it means to love.
Have you ever been so busy you forget what’s around you? I realized last night that it’s happening in my life. Life can get so full. I get use to putting my head down and working. I spend a great deal of time in my office. I love working from home. The problem I have is leaving work. It’s so easy to just keep working.
The other night as I was getting into bed, I realized there are five people living in this spectacular home, and we hardly ever see each other. We do eat at least one meal. I made that rule a long time ago. Everyone will gather at the table for a minimum of one meal a day. I love the times we get lost in our conversation and spend hours talking about what is going on and what is coming up. Sometimes we share our memories about growing up and things that happened. It is always interesting to hear it from my children’s perspective. The problem is we don’t do it enough. It is so easy to get caught up in all the things that need to be done.
I have decided to put – spending time with family – on my “to do” list. I am so blessed to still have kids at home, and I need to act that way. This week I will carve out more time for them. My mother included. She moved in just over a year ago. Her mental capacity has diminished, and it’s hard to have a conversation with her. It is getting harder and harder for her to even talk. The words she is looking for get lost. Over the past few months it has become easy to just let her watch TV.
In 2007, we got rid of TV in the house. I decided I was no longer going to pay for something that was not good for us. When Mom moved in, she wanted her Westerns, and we obliged. I realized she may not be able to communicate very well, but I can still let her know she is loved and the best way to do that is with time.
Her husband of ten years is divorcing her and she does not want it. I feel he is doing it so he doesn’t have to be responsible for her. She paid all the bills when they were married and now he might have to pay some for her and he doesn’t want to. He brings in about $6,000 a month, so I feel he could help take care of her. Of course that’s my side of the story. She doesn’t understand what is happening and why she can’t see him anymore. Not that she saw him very much since she moved in with me, but at least she could talk to him.
I have made a new schedule and it includes spending time with Mom doing the things she wants to do. We will do something two times a week for a minimum of two hours. I need to be with her because I don’t know how much more time I have with her. I love her and she loves me, and that is special.
We went to the local assisted living home the other day to listen to a harp player. At first I was answering emails on my phone, then I realized this is Mom’s time. I put my phone down and took her hand. We spent the next few hours just enjoying the music. It was wonderful. I look forward to this week and what we will do.
Today we’re going to play a family game. We haven’t done that for a while. I look forward to building more memories with those I love. It’s time to enjoy the journey with those special people God has placed in my life.
Here is a link to a great short video from Simple Truths called To A Child Love Is Spelled TIME https://play.simpletruths.com/movie/love-is-spelled-time/
I love my life and my family.
Have an awe-inspiring day,
