Take the time

Enid Reyes

Time is fleeting. One minute is here and then it’s gone. Time cannot be captured; it’s like trying to grasp the wind realizing that it just slips through our hands. The clock ticks…and continues to tick, as we speak. Time lost cannot be recuperated; it only becomes memories—good or bad.

As a single, empty-nest parent, I have much time to think about the time I have invested in my kids. While visiting them a couple of weeks ago atIowaStateUniversity, I was reminded of “time.” One of my visit days was going to be a “mom-errand” day. The weather was threatening my errands, but I was determined to get them done. As I bundled up and left the house, I heard my daughter say, “Be careful, drive slow when taking a turn, do not brake suddenly, call me from every place so I know you are ok!”

While I was removing the snow from the windshield, I asked myself, “What just happened? She sounded like me when they were young!” How time has passed. Now, I am the one who needs to be taken care of?

I felt the reversal of roles. Aging is a beautiful thing, but a scary thing if your kids think you are aging faster than you do. I survived the treacherous weather, completed my errands and became determined to take the time to be with my kids as much as I could.

Rockwall’s last ice storm brought a reminder of how good it felt to have no phone, no electricity and nowhere to go. Because I almost burned my house down during that time, I had to take “refuge” at my dear friend’s home, Stephen and Karen Straughan, while the smoke was being removed.

I was thankful for their huge fireplace. It became the backdrop for a day and night of card games, deep conversations and laughter. We took the time to learn more about each other and to truly relax.

Once connected to the real world, I heard so many stories of parents taking the time to play board games with their children, neighbors helping each other and even offering a place to stay until the electricity came back on.

Some stories had a hint of past regrets; and some brought hope of future opportunities. You see, kids never remember how much money we spent on them; they mostly remember those memories of time well spent.

My kids will remember that their mom took the time from her hectic schedule to visit them because one of them needed me to “take the time.”

Spring is upon us; it is never too late to take time to create memories with any of your loved ones. My father’s words still ring in my mind, “I have more time than money.” Though he was a powerful business man with what it seems no time, he always had time to go to lunch with me.

Time well spent make the best memories. Take the time!

Blue Ribbon News special contributor Enid Reyes is a Certified Relationship Skills Facilitator, founder of Rockwall Grace Center for Family & Community Development and a local minister. Contact Enid at enidmariereyes@gmail.com.