I have always enjoyed spending time with my parents. I am very close with my family, perhaps unusually so; when I was still living with my parents prior to getting married, we would eat lunch and dinner together almost every day. I acknowledge how this is not the norm, especially with most families these days having both parental figures working. But, I am extremely grateful for all of the meals I shared with them, and currently, I still have lunch with them daily because I work for them.
My friends used to tease me when I was younger about how much time I spent with my mom and dad. I used to simply shrug it off because I knew what I was doing was something I enjoyed and made me happy, and I couldn’t figure out why my friends weren’t doing the same with their own parents. Perhaps I was a little ahead of myself, maturity-wise, at a young age, but I decided early on I wanted to spend as much time as my parents as possible while I had the opportunity.
Both of my parents are cancer survivors, so it is very possible that my yearning to be with them stems from a fear of losing either one of them.
So many of us, unfortunately, recognize that we should have spent more time with someone once they have passed away. This realization is gutting and deeply saddening; however, it is one that can be avoided in most scenarios. I understand that factors like distance come into play for some of us, depending on where we are located, but even if you’re unable to physically be in someone’s presence, you can always chat via telephone or video call.
Not to sound overly cliche, but life can be short, and it isn’t necessarily promised. Spend time with your loved ones while you can and save yourself regret and heartbreak down the road.
Photo by Christian Bowen on Unsplash
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