When I was in my senior year of college, I received a devastating phone call: my grandpa had a severe form of cancer and was not expected to live very long. My heart was heavy, but not because I was going to lose a man I loved. I was grieving that I was about to lose a family member that I didn’t know.
I had grown up predominantly in the Midwest, while m y grandparents lived in southern California. So i only saw them a few times in my life. The college I chose to attend was actually just two and a half hours from their home, but i was a young guy in college. Weekend was a time for friends, dates… Ok friends, and school work. Regretfully, I made little attempt to see them.
No Regret
Of the all of the regrets people have at the end of their life, I don’t think I have ever heard someone say, “I wish I had spent less time with others.” In fact, you won’t here it. That is not the mistake we are prone to make.
We might waste time striving for better grades, pursuing wealth, seeking comfort, attaining a certain social-economic status, vying for that big promotion at work, or trifling over a myriad other things that we can’t take with us. Rarely are we charged with over investing in the lives of others.
From that phone call forward, I went down to visit my grandparents almost every other weekend. God graciously extended his life, and I actually got to be a part of it. I learned about his work and his service time in World War II. I joined him and Grandmom on walks at their favorite places, his favorite being the harbor. I learned to eat fish and to distinguish real Italian food from Olive Garden. We became connoisseurs of fine tiramisu and I came to love Arnold Palmers. We talked about school, politics, girls, and faith. I saw him and Grandmom, happily in love.
When I recieved a phone call that he had passed away, I cried. I cried because I lost someone that I knew. But I would never have known him had I not taken the time. When he was promoted to heaven, i was so thankful that I had come to know my grandparents. They are two of my favorite people, I have never regretted one minute of it.
Leaders Take Time For Others
If you are too busy for the people in your life, you are too busy.
You will never regret spending time with people.
Who do you need to take some time with this weekend?
