Shannon's Lesson Number Five: Be There

I was inspired by a post on another blog.  Shannon, the author, has a unique and focused perspective on life.  "The Redheaded Hostess" has been a blog that I mostly read for the great scripture marking ideas and study plans, however this post was more personal.  She posted about being grateful for challenges and lessons she has learned through her battle with cancer.  She listed seven lessons that she learned.


There were two of these lessons that are significant to me in the place I am right now.


First, Shannon's lesson number five: "It is important to be there."


How will my kids know I value the effort they put into playing the piano if I don't attend the recitals?  Or my nieces and nephews know I love and care about them if I don't help celebrate significant events in their lives?    Simply I need to be there at those times.

I was sitting in my niece Miriam, and Mary's graduation ceremonies last week, thinking it is pretty much the same thing in each city, each year. In addition to the repetitive themes, you have to wonder how much your niece/nephew actually cares that you are there.  My presence or absence at their events doesn't really alter the celebration or significance.  So why would I sacrifice, driving 4 days, 2600 miles to be at each of their graduations?  Because as Shannon has said, it is important to be there, whenever you can.  


I am not saying that one event makes a difference in them knowing that or not.  However I think the cumulative attendance, especially in retrospect, does.  I hope the people I love will look back on their life and say "My Mom/Sister/Aunt really cares about me and loves me."   And perhaps it will add one more piece to their puzzle of self worth and value, knowing I love them and believe in them too.



(Tomorrow I will post Shannon's other lesson that resonated with me.  Along with a link to her post.)

Miriam--I swear I was there and took this picture!  Next time I need to hand someone the camera and get one of the two of us together!