The Best Things in Life
I had an especially busy, action-packed weekend, and the events brought with them thoughts and lessons I wanted to share here. The weekend started with our youngest daughter moving back to Michigan Friday, after living in Colorado for three years. She’s carrying our first grandchild, which adds even more excitement to their move home. Our family is very close and, because our children are all adults now and living away from home, we cherish the moments we’re together more than ever.
On Saturday, the daughter of a friend of mine got married. It was a beautiful wedding, in my hometown of Saginaw, Michigan. I have known my friend’s family since high school, and it was wonderful to see his parents, children, siblings, and friends.
Unfortunately, my friend, Jim – who was the best man in our wedding – died six years ago, and missed what surely would have been one of the highlights of his life.
Sunday was an equally busy day. My sister-in-law and her husband hosted her siblings and their families for a pool party. Melissa is the consummate host, and loves to cook and entertain. Their children and our children were all there. It’s not often we can get everyone together, so this was a wonderful blessing. Their backyard is an incredible summer oasis, and everyone had a great time!
Oh, and my birthday was Saturday, too. I love birthdays, and I hope to have many more. Because of the busy events of the weekend, though, my birthday was actually the least exciting of all the events I mentioned. And I’m totally okay with that.
The common thread of the weekend, in case you haven’t picked up on it, was “quality time invested with those closest to me.” It’s something I often take for granted, and maybe you do, too.
It’s unusual for my weekend to be filled the way last weekend was. And, of course, it was made even more special due to the nature of the events. That’s probably the reason it stood out, and is certainly the reason I’m writing about it now.
As I reflect back on the weekend, there are two prevailing thoughts I want to share with you. These thoughts aren’t epiphanies. They’re not “rocket science.” They’re things you and I both know already.
I think it’s good to be reminded of the important lessons in life. Revisiting the “fundamentals” helps ensure that we continue to practice them. They help us to perform better. It’s true in sports… and it’s true in life.
1. The best things in life aren’t things. The best things in life are the people I love (and who love me back), the places I’ve been with those people, and the incredible memories that have been created along the way.
I’m more grateful after last weekend than ever for the life God has blessed me with, and for the people He has placed in my life. Having a child closer to home, seeing people I haven’t seen in a few years at a wedding, and enjoying a beautiful summer day in Michigan reminds me of just how important the people in my life are, and what a gift it is to be able to enjoy time with those closest to me.
2. Stay on top of your health. My friend, Jim, wasn’t able to attend his daughter’s wedding last weekend because he died of a heart attack at the age of 52. I can’t describe the level of sadness I felt, and it was worse because of the joy I experienced at my own daughter’s wedding.
I don’t know about Jim’s relationship with his healthcare provider, or how “on top of his health” he was. But I do know that many of the leading causes of death are preventable. I can’t help but think one of the state-of-the-art cardiovascular tests available today could have alerted Jim to his condition. Perhaps if he had been more proactive in his medical care, he would still be here today, and would have been present for his daughter’s wedding.
Wherever you are in life, please get an annual physical. Get your skin checked by a dermatologist. Get a mammogram and perform other recommended screenings (at the appropriate time in life) if you’re a woman. If you’re a man, then get a coronary calcium scan, have your prostate checked, and get other screenings at the prescribed times.
I hear people say they’ve never been to the doctor, as though that’s some badge of honor. To put it mildly, I don’t think that’s smart. We take our cars and our pets to get checked regularly, and I believe we should care enough about our bodies to do the same. With the advancements in technology, medical professionals are able to detect early signs of so many diseases. In at least some instances, early detection can mean the difference between life and death.
I love life, and there’s nothing better on Earth than investing quality time with those closest to us. I hope I’m able to do that for a very long time. And I hope and pray that you are, too.
