Because there is a limited amount of time in everyone’s life, to be gifted with even a little of someone else’s time is s priceless gift. As I have aged, it is moments with my children and their families that matter most to me, rather than gifts. When my husband and I moved back to Georgia, we chose a small town that is nearly rural. It takes us about 30 minutes to reach the interstate to travel nearly everywhere! But, as two seventy-somethings, we love the quiet and safety of a rural setting where we can forget to close the garage door over a weekend and a neighbor keeps watch over the house until we return over the seemingly constant sound of sirens in urban settings.
Our home is over an hour’s drive for three of my children, and the fourth child is in another state. My oldest grandchild says that we are barely still in Georgia. With jobs and other obligations, they consider it too far to come, and i can go a whole year without seeing them. I recognize that they are busy, and I try not to complain. Instead, we make the drive to their homes if they have holiday or birthday parties.
This year, I tried something different. On the family text, I informed my family that I would meet anyone free to come at a restaurant that everyone likes for a meal. I will pay for those without the money. I tell them that I don’t want gifts, just hugs and to see them and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. My family loves to eat, so it works.
I chose a place about halfway between us. I just want to see their smiles, hug and kiss the great-grandchildren, and hear them josh with each other, which means lots of laughter and memories shared. They can’t all always come, but at the last one for my birthday in 2024, we filled three tables!
The gift of time is so precious, because we have some control over how we want to spend it. When someone uses a portion of that precious and limited resource to spend time in your presence, it is a gift that continues to give, as memories and the pictures taken allow you to remember and smile all over again. Spending time together reinforces our bonds of love and respect. I value every moment with family. Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, so time with family, friends, and others who you value and love is the greatest gift that we can give. It’s much more valuable that silver or gold.
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Help from Heaven 
Beautifully written out…
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Interesting decision with great results! Here’s hoping the hugs keep on coming!
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