Rare Opportunities

Why is that we only appreciate what we have/had when it’s gone?
 
My husband left recently on a lengthy trip, and I found myself getting sad as his departure date approached. I love that man, and I enjoy our life together. Although excited for him and his rare opportunity, selfishly I wanted him to stay — or to take me with him.
 
I’ve grown to appreciate what we’ve built over the past 25-plus years. But you know what they say, “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”
 
Isn’t it strange that to truly appreciate something or someone we have to lose it? It’s too easy to take things and people for granted when they’re with us all the time. I wish that wasn’t the case.
 
I want to be more appreciative of what I have when I have it. In reality, I may not have it for very long.
 
My husband and I were extra nice to each other the day before he left. And I found myself thinking, “What if we treated every day as if one of us was leaving the next?” I think we’d be more appreciative of our time together, more careful of our tones, and more thoughtful about the words we choose.
 
That’s how I want to be every day — not just with my husband, but in all of my relationships. Each is precious, and I need to value it and the person, and not take them for granted.
 
I need to listen when my kids share with me about their lives and not be quick to talk about whatever floats into my head. I need to give eye contact. I need to love more deliberately and be willing to sacrifice myself to help others. After all, I’m given rare opportunities each and every day.
 
I can learn something from each person in my life if I’ll just take the time to do it.

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