Family Time.

   Do we give enough time to those we care about?  I admit that I grew up in a home that had my father gone a lot.  He was in the Navy and spent a good portion of my youth on sea-duty.  I am not complaining and I am not accusing him of anything wrong.  It's what he did to earn a living and provide for his family. He did a very good job.

   What I am saying is that I told myself when I had a family I would not be gone so much. Then of course life got in the way.  I was for many years a workaholic like many.  I worked 60+ hours a week and did not spend near enough time with my kids even though I was home each night.

   Now, my work situation still has me working 6 days a week and I still do not get to see them near as much as I would like, because that is what it takes to provide for my family.  This grieves me that I cannot spend more time with them.  I have found though, some balance in that my wife and I do our best to have specific activities or time set aside to spend with them. Quality time, sometimes it is just roasting marshmallows out back by the fire-pit. Other times we will plan short trips whether it is to the lake on the sailboat or maybe just lunch at a favorite place. Sometimes it is game night sitting around the kitchen table playing one of our many games we have collected.

   This weekend was a special treat as I got to spend quite a bit of time with each one of them at one of the amusement parks here in Utah, Lagoon.  Enjoyed time with each one of them on the types of rides that each favors.  It was marvelous!  Sometimes as my daughter and I went round and round on the Tilt O-Whirl we could do nothing but belly laugh out loud!  My daughter is 13 and if you have kids, you realize that dad's are just not cool at that age.  I am so glad that my daughter loves to spend time with me!

  Moments like this weekend are moments I would not trade for anything! Not money nor fame.  I would rather live, love and be loved than have all the financial wealth the world could offer if I had to chose.

   Have you spent any quality time with the ones you love lately?  I know they would appreciate it.  I promise you that if you will spend some time with someone or several of the people in your life that maybe you have lost a little ground with lately, you will find joy, peace and love that will make the time you spend in this life worth while.

   Enjoy, live, love and share.  You will not regret it.

Billy B