“By the time you turn 18, you’ve spent ~95% of the time you’ll ever spend with your parents.”
The first time I read that, it hit me like a brick. Think about it: once you move out, start your own life, maybe even your own family, you’re suddenly living in that last 5%. Birthdays, holidays, retirements.. that’s it.
That reality became even more real when I got a call from my Mom the other day. She needed help with a small issue with her car. Nothing major, but I could tell it had her stressed. We talked for 10 minutes, she prayed with me, and that was it.
But afterwards, I couldn’t shake the thought: Am I doing enough with that last 5%?
It also made me think of my dad. The last conversation we had wasn’t a good one. And the next time my called me, it wasn’t him at all - it was my half-sister calling to tell me he had passed.
You only get one set of parents. And once you’re out of the house, the relationship is in your hands. Which brings me back to that quote:
How am I going to spend the rest of the time I have left with the people I love?
Your parents won’t be here forever. Neither will the people who matter most to you.
So I’ll ask you: Who do you owe a phone call to? – A parent you’ve fallen out of touch with? – A friend who lives far away now? – An old boss or coworker who made a difference in your life?
One day, you won’t get the chance to tell them what they meant to you. Don’t wait until something goes wrong to reach out.
But here’s the good news: it only takes one call to get back on track.
So reach out. Let them know they’ve been on your mind.
We celebrated Kaylee's 29th Birthday on Monday (which is why this is a day late!)
Our August meetup for For The Firsts!
Keeping Isaiah's artistic inclinations off the walls (for now)
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