Time Flies

Family. As I grew up, I grew away from family. I spent less and less time with my immediate family, and even less with extended family, i.e., the uncles, aunts, cousins, and even grandparents. I certainly had the opportunity to spend as much time with them as I wanted, but I was in a hurry to 'grow up' and do my own things. To get involved with new friends and what they were doing and the things we were doing together. One of my young cousins got married last weekend in San Diego and I was lucky enough to be able to make the trip for the occasion. I got to see many of my cousins, their children, and in some cases even their children. I lost my oldest aunt to cancer in 2007, so I no longer get to visit with her. She would always ask how I was doing, whether or not I was seeing anyone, and what plans I had for my life. I really enjoyed my time with her when I was a kid, and she even took me to her elementary school class a time or two when I was little.

Educators ran in my family. At the wedding last weekend I got to see my aunt Laura and my uncle Frank. Both of them were teachers. My uncle for Palomar College for 40 years, and my aunt for the elementary school district in Yuma where I grew up. It was seeing them then that I realized how much relatively little time I have left to spend with them, as they are both well into their 70's now. I also have an uncle named Dale who lives in Texas, and sadly it's even a rarer occasion that I get to see he and his family. Fortunately, my family is generally blessed with longevity, so I have a little more time than most. Being born on the tail end of a large family, some of my 1st cousins are in their late 40's, but most off them are in their 50's now. Where did the time go? It used to seem like there was plenty of time to see everyone, and there would be an endless supply of family gatherings to look forward to. It's just not the case. The year after I lost my aunt to cancer, I lost my mother to Ovarian cancer. Cancer is a dirty, bloodthirsty opponent. Uncle Frank is fighting it now, and my father has bee through it more than once. It's in my genes, and I'm sure I'll talk about that in a future blog.

Yes, time flies. Take the time now when your family is still here, still with us to be close to them. Tell them your stories and let them tell you theirs. Their are things that they know that you couldn't possibly learn elsewhere. Don't wait until you realize that its too late to tell them that you love them and appreciate them. Especially your older family members. We can take some time now from our parties, trips, and busy lives to spend time with them before we realize that the time has been taken from us. Yes, time flies, and we can never get it back.

E.