Life offers us moments that, like a photograph, we want to hold in our hearts, never wanting that picture or its contents to change. This past weekend was one of those moments when, during our watching of the Super Bowl, I looked around the room with my sons, their wives, and my sister-in-law and her husband, and thought to myself how fortunate I am to have these people in my life. I often tell myself that life is really about creating good memories, remembrances that will be recalled and enjoyed long after they have taken place. As Joanna Gaines states, “Time together as a family is a gift,” and our gathering on Superbowl Sunday was one of those occasions where I truly appreciated the gift of family.
Maybe according to some, I am overstating our gathering, after all, many families like mine spent time together that day cheering on their favored team, enjoying good food each other’s company. I am not saying that our gathering was anything different, except that having all of us together, even for a Superbowl party, gave me a chance to look around the room, knowing how important all of these people are in my life. How often do we really think about how important our families are and what our lives would be like without being surrounded by those who make us “part of something very wonderful.” The next time you gather as a family, take a “mental photograph” of those around you and appreciate your gift of family.