Whew!! The year started out in
a rush as always. Like many of you, I could probably write a novel on how
busy our schedules can be. Unfortunately, it seems to be the chronic
state of the world these days.
In January, with our 2014 calendar
freshly hung on the wall, it was back to work and school and the fast pace of
life for our family. Suddenly, we were thrust back into the rat race of
running to sporting events and practices, dance classes, appointments, workouts,
the grocery store, etc. Meanwhile, we managed to find time for homework,
household chores, “to-do” lists, vacation plans, and some family time, as we
skidded through the first couple months of the year on an iceberg of cold weather.
Now, as March is upon us, dangling spring from melting icicles just beyond our
reach, the schedules of the Kleve family have slowed to a more manageable pace
(for now.)
Lately, we have been finding
ourselves home shortly after school and work let out. Family suppers are
once again on the menu most nights and family games of pool can be found on most
evening agendas. Although the homework and household chores still remain,
we have found a little time to sit back and appreciate the simple things in
life once again. As I ponder tonight's supper menu, I realize I have not
written a blog post since early January. As my breathing slows, my muscles
relax, and my heart fills with the memory of a recent weekend filled with good
old fashioned family time, I realize how much I appreciate this slower pace ...
It is during these calmer times that
we find more quality in every moment. For argument's sake, busy people
often refer to the fact that it is not the quantity of time a family spends
together, it is the quality of that time. Well, in reality, when we are
so caught up in being busy and running from here to there, we aren't in the
correct state of mind to appreciate those quality moments whether they are few
or many. It is during the slower moments, that we make memories out of
random, common things – a silly comment, goofy reaction, lyrics sung
incorrectly or a bit off key, the outcome of a game, a story told, plans made,
and moments of laughter or tears. As my family and I have found more of
these moments, our stressed-out minds have been calmed, and the babies I once
knew are peaking out of the teenage bodies they have grown into.
Often, I have found, that people use
busy-ness as a crutch, an excuse to escape from problems or tasks they don't
want to face. Once in a while, this can
be healthy - if we are waiting for something such as results from a doctor or
other important news - something we can't do anything about but wait. It
is helpful to keep busy in these moments in order to pass the time. But
yet other times, people may dive into the next big task rather than face a
personal problem that could be fixed. Some people may also use busy-ness
as simple procrastination. If they sweep the kitchen floor five more
times, they will legitimately not have time to tackle that larger, more
important task they have been putting off. Some people may stay at the
office so they don't have to notice that their son is not finishing his
homework, their daughter has been staying out too late, or their spouse hasn't
reached for their hand in months. It would be a shame to find ourselves
five years down the road, looking back at a blur of memories of shouting
matches as we rushed out the door, buzzing alarm clocks, waving hello or goodbye
as we meet in the driveway or on the road, eating on the fly, and passing in
the night. Sometimes (in fact frequently) we need to take a step back
from our busy tasks and let life take us in - let our hearts fill up with the
emotions of life (both good and bad) lest someday we look back and find that we
missed our own lives for the sake of the race.
Please join me today in remembering
what life is all about. Lay aside your cell phones, laptops, calendars
and clocks. Let go of your fears, excuses, and to-do lists. Reach
out to your loved ones, play a game, share a snack, watch a movie, take a walk
or simply stand in the kitchen and talk. It is in these moments that
memories are made. Take the time to experience today, breathe it all in,
soak it all up, and let each fleeting moment become a memory to cherish for
years to come.
When today becomes a memory -- what will YOU (and your loved ones) remember?
