Here it is January and most people are joining gyms so they can get fit, not me. Today I went to the Y and canceled my membership. Why you ask? Well while others want to build muscle and lose pounds I am more concerned about building family relationships and making memories.
When we go to the Y everyone is separate. Christopher is in the playroom, Carolyn is in the pool, and Shane and I are either on the track, treadmill, bike, or separate. We then retrieve everyone and head for home. It is dark. We are tired. And everyone is feeling stressed and snippy.
I have set my priorities to stay home. I want to be home as much as possible. Since both of us are teachers we are exhausted from wrangling children all day and trying to make a difference. I want to value home time and use it to build our family's relationships. I want to spend our time together: playing games, watching a movie, cooking, reading, walking, and even doing chores.
When I was growing up I wasn't involved in many things and neither was my husband. I went to school and came home. I belonged to the school chorus but that only required an occasional evening for a performance. My husband was in the drama club and was involved in the occasional performance. We did not have something each and every day to do to keep us away from home and our family. We turned out all right, but I wonder if the same will be said for this generation.
So, tonight my family will dine at home on hot dogs and chips. And then we will relax as a family and begin our weekend with a movie snuggled up under the blankets to keep the winter chill away. I smile knowing that my priorities are decided and now I need to keep the compass pointed in the correct direction.
No comments:
Post a Comment