A Wake Up Call

QRTRHRS · Aug 21, 2015

Speaking about wakeup calls; I somehow have torn up my knee that I had repaired for a meniscus tear and an ACL injury about ten years ago. So, I have been taking advantage of my wife's handicap placard to park as close as possible to whichever business we might have to go to. And to think I used to "power hike" trails rated 4-6 hours in about two. This blows.

Anyway, we had picked up some prescriptions for my wife and while headed home, saw this older gent tooling along with a pretty sharp looking Vette. Yes, pretty sharp looking but then I think about how difficult it is to get out of our CTS which is slightly higher than the Vette. Then there is that brite red paint and plenty of chrome where as our CTS has not been washed since last winter when I broke down and washed the road salt off.

Sadly, our family situation is not close. Everyone gets along for the most part. It's just that job, school oblegations, etc. take precidence. Skip the wheels and enjoy the family time.

Redneck in training · Aug 22, 2015

I immigrated to the USA 39 years old with 42 USD in my pocket, clothes I had on and I didn't speak English. I was lucky to meet people (like my boss in my first year in the country) and my last employer that changed my life. I was playing catch up past 25 years. Put four children through college, saved significant amount for my retirement, bought a farm, built two houses etc. I was very good provider but no so good father or husband though. Fortunately my wife was able to be mother and father understanding the "man has to what man has to do". I was working out home about 200 days in a typical year. Finally I retired at the end of 2014. Enjoying to do for our grandchildren what I didn't do for our children. Just today I taught "Treasure hunt" game and open and close all tools in Swiss army knife without cutting himself my four years old grandson. We also caught bunch of bluegills. What a great two days we had having him and his two years old sister on our farm.

RSKY · Aug 22, 2015

You don't realize the importance of family until you have your own children. I have a plaque on my desk that reads.

FAMILY

1. People who know our past, present and future.
2. Those who accept us the way we are.
3. A source of love, comfort and happiness.
4.those with whom we share a lifetime of memories and traditions.
5. What we call home.

Very true.

RSKY

RSKY · Aug 22, 2015

As another example of family, my wife's aunt babysat my oldest and youngest granddaughters today while my wife and daughter photographed and organized an event. Oldest is six years, youngest is one month.

How many young mothers can call on their baby's great-great-aunt to babysit?

How many children know all their aunts and uncles much less great aunts/uncles, or in our case great-great aunts/uncles.

At the funeral today (see original post) my mother could not understand why so much was made over her because she was the deceased great aunt. We tried to explain that she was the only remaining great anything that the guy had, was the only one of her generation left, and was probably the oldest there except for one lady who was a neighbor.

Her reply was "Well s--t, I'm not that old!"

That's why they wanted her there.

RSKY

RSKY · Aug 22, 2015

Double post! Very strange hours apart.

farmer2009 · Aug 31, 2015

Very good points. But I would like to throw something at you RSKY. Instead of renting a house for your kids to visit with you and feeling like your wasting money. Buy a timeshare for them. You can find ones that are very destination flexible and they can become part of your estate. They'll always have the ability to vacation and know that you are still "providing" for them.

That's what we did this year. Bought a timeshare that we can travel the world with and pass down to our son. He's 2. I enjoy spending time with him and my wife but I also have to provide. So I work a lot more than I really should but my goal is for him not to have to work as hard as I do. He'll still have to work but if nothing else he won't have the financial stress we've had. Plans are to pass on a paid for business to him. If he wants it (we hope he does). Isn't that the goal. To leave your family and world in better condition than when you got it.

MoKelly · Sep 1, 2015

From my perspective, its not about the money or chosing between cars or vacations or houses or things.

You need to give your time to your family. As I look back on my childhood, it wasn't really where we went on vacation or what we did on vacation. It was the fact my Mom and Dad were there along with us kids and we spent time doing stuff as a family. It could have been a beach, Disneyland, camping or just walking around the zoo it wouldn't have mattered.

Time is the most precious asset anyone has and spending it with family is the best investment of that time we can make.

MoKelly