Time is precious

When I was a little girl, I remember that when my dad was repairing something,  he asked me to hold the hammer, just so we would have a time for a conversation with each other. I never saw my dad drinking or taking a "night out with the boys“, all he did after work was taking care of his family.

I grew up and left home for college and since then, my dad calls  me every Sunday morning, no matter what. When several years later I bought a house, my dad painted it for me and he asked, me to hold his paint brush and talk to him. But I was too busy in those days, I did not find any time for a conversation with my dad.

Four years ago, my dad was visiting me. He spent many hours putting together a swing set for my daughter. He asked me to bring him a cup of tea and have a talk with him, but I had to prepare for a trip that weekend, so I did not have time for any long conversations that day.

One Sunday morning we had a telephone talk as usual, I noticed that my dad had forgotten some things that we discussed lately. I was in a hurry, so our conversation was short. A few hours later that day came a call. My father was in a hospital with an aneurysm. Immediately I bought a ticket for a flight and on my way I was thinking about all the missed occasions to have a talk with my dad. 

By the time I arrived at the hospital, my father had passed away. Now it was he who did not have time for a conversation with me. I realized how little I knew about my dad, his deepest thoughts and dreams. 

After his death I learned much more about him, and even more about myself. All he ever asked from me was my time. I learned that time is precious and something that money can not buy. Life is short so make the most of what you have: Spend it with friends and family.