Why is it so hard? Why is it sometimes so tough to save our best for those closest to us? I don’t have any easy answers to that but as my youngest, Dylan, graduates from high school, a recent memory reminded me again how critical it is to sieze moments with those closest to us.
Several years ago, I was living life at a frantic pace. Finding a rhythm to my life had been a struggle. Then a friend called with the news that he had a couple of playoff tickets for a Lakers versus Nuggets game in Denver. Now, I’m no martyr — I love basketball. I love watching it and playing it — but our then-14-year-old Dylan loves it more. The Lakers have been his team since….well since birth.
There was one problem. The only way I could pull it off was to drive the 15 hours up and back on the same day, driving virtually all night on the way home. Typically I would stretch the experience out but I couldn’t do it this time. I had many people call me crazy ,but we decided to go for it.
It was a great day! Waiting by the Lakers holtel so Dylan could catch a glimpse of Koby and watching him light up when the Lakers took the floor made it totally worth it. It was about much more than a basketball game: it was about making time, setting a priority, being spontaneous and having fun, and we made a fantastic memory that will last a long time!
On the long drive back, I was reminded of one of the great challenges in life and leadership: in the busyness of life, in the frantic pace of earning a living, chasing relationships, pursuing work and just doing life, we must make sure we don’t miss it — that we don’t miss the hearts of those closest to us.
Now Dylan is winding up his senior year, and I am really glad I did not miss that chance. It is just one of many moments I have had with him, but it was a great one.
It may take some adjustments, maybe some extra resources, and even some personal sacrifice for those of you who are parents, but it’s worth it every time. When he walked across that stage to graduate yesterday, it was one of many memories that rushed through my mind. There will be more to come, but I am so glad I made that day happen.
Plan a trip, make a memory with someone close in the next week and let me know how it goes. In fact , if you have time, comment here on something you have done or something that was done for you that created a significant memory. We could all use some great ideas.
After the second rhythm, I decided I needed to deepen my relationship with my father. Therefore emailed him and we decided each year we will pick a new experience for each of us to go do together or with a group. So in about two weeks my father who is 60 and myself will be playing a young man’s game of running a tough mudder. I am sure memories will be mad and will be posting them on here after.