I’ve finally realized – much later than I wish I had – that my daughter is the greatest thing I will ever do. Our kids are the greatest thing we will ever do.
My husband always had what he called the countdown. “We only have 10 years with her before she goes to college.” “We only have 9 years before she goes to college.” It felt like a lifetime. When my daughter was young, I left for work before she woke up in the morning and got home just before she went to bed. When she was in 5th grade, I realized how much I was missing and that I needed to make a change. I got a job closer to home. Sure I left later and got home earlier, but I was still putting in way more hours than was necessary. It was that Type A personality coming out. Now she is getting ready to go to college.
I know I have missed so much. And I regret it. But I have time now. And so do you.
School is out – or will be in the next couple of weeks. Take this time when your kids are free to spend some time with them. For little kids, there is nothing better than a trip to the zoo or the playground. Today my daughter and I had lunch together, just the two of us. We caught up on all that is happening in her life and what needs to be done before she goes to school in August. This weekend we are taking a road trip up to South Carolina. Sure, it is for her college orientation, but it is still time that we will be spending together, reconnecting. And later in the month, we are taking a trip up to New York for a week.
Our kids truly are the greatest thing we will ever do. They are our legacy, the only thing we will leave behind that has any real meaning. They are the future and we are the ones to help shape that. So spend some time with your kids, not just this summer, but always. It is time you – and they – will cherish.
