Love it while it’s here

By David Tepera, December 6, 2017

There’s no secret, most people still reflect on the glory years of high school. For those who competed in sports, typically high school was your heyday. If you had a winning season or not, you were probably in the best shape of your life and created lasting memories and friends.

But now, you’re just an old fogey like me, missing the good old days and wishing you could relive them again. At that time, you didn’t realize how much you loved the game until it was gone.

Even recently, you were probably involved in other uplifting experiences, but now they’ve come to an end. You might be a little disappointed and depressed because you didn’t really take in the moment while it was happening. It never crossed your mind that all good things really do come to an end.

Over the past several years, I’ve been attending quite a few funerals celebrating people’s lives. It’s common that everyone closest to the deceased wished they’d spent more time with them.

We all do get caught up in routines with our busy lives. Most days are filled with work and weekends loaded with kid activities.

I know it’s hard to think about it, but sometimes we must recognize that we will lose people close to us. You’ve been putting off spending time with grandparents, parents and other relatives.

Believe me, I completely understand. I’ve been a single parent for more than 12 years and venturing out of our routine has been most challenging. I don’t visit others as frequently as I should. I recognize the disappointment within myself for not taking a step back from my schedule to spend time with people who unconditionally love me.

Sorry, I’m really not trying to be a downer today, but just hoping to make you slow down and go love and hug those people who miss you.

I’m sure most of us have already experienced losing someone we’d like to just sit and talk, laugh and cry, eat a meal, have a drink and just enjoy the moment with again.

So, maybe today, you can take a step back and reach out to those special people while you can. I guarantee a new memory will be made that’ll be cherished forever.

Remember, you once loved the game and now it’s over, but it’s not too late to reach out and love your family. Sometimes, all it takes is a phone call.