Not sure what triggered it, but as I was going through this mountain of work on my desk, trying to whittle it down as much as possible before the weekend, I got flooded with memories of family members who’ve passed on.  Maybe it’s the holidays reminding me of them, but I miss them so much.  Big David, Mamaw Jo, Uncle Howard, Aunt Carolyn, Papaw Fullington, Mamaw Fullington, and especially Grandma Roxie.  Just writing their names fills my eyes with tears.  My childhood was blessed because of them, and they deserve most of the credit for whatever goodness may reside in me.  They weren’t perfect, but they were good, decent people who showered me with love.  I would give almost anything to have one more day to sit and talk with them, and at moments like this, I wish I still believed in that version of heaven where they will all be waiting to greet me when it’s my turn to cross over.

If your elders are still around, pick up the phone and call them.  Go over for a visit.  Do it today.  Do it now before you forget.  There will come a day when they are no longer with us, and you will long for their presence.  No one can make you feel more loved and wanted than a grandparent.  No one can believe in your dreams and support your ambitions more than those relatives surrounding you, and if you listen to them and learn from their experiences, you can gain wisdom and possibly avoid a few mistakes in your life.

I’m grateful for every moment that I got to share with my elders.  It’s funny how archaic that expressions sounds now.  Our society has evolved in such a way that too often we discard our seniors much too early.  We discount their knowledge and experience because they move a little more slowly and need a little longer to process information, but there is no substitute for experience.  We should do a better job of respecting our elderly and allowing them to play a more significant role in our lives and our society.

I didn’t mean for this post to turn into a soapbox, but if you have older relatives who are still around, find a little time to give to them.  You will make them very happy, won’t regret the time you spend with them, and will be a richer person for it.  That’s all for now.