Today our Principal sent and email. I am used to administrators sending email after email ranging in topics from "stuff I don't care about" to "stuff that I absolutely need to (and rarely) do". Today, the email was a little different. Today's message had to do with our need to take time to make time for those people who are important to us. The story tells about a guy who realized that his life was passing by him as he worked hard to create his impression of a good one. This man estimated that the average male lives to about age 75. He mathematically figured how may Saturdays he had left until age 75 and then bought a jar to but that numbers in it. Every Saturday he took out a marble to signify that those days would never return. On the day that he took the last marble out, he determined that any day after would be extra. Looking back, he must have felt better knowing that he did what he could to be with those who matter to him.

I don't know why it hit me like it did, but I really spend a considerable amount of time this morning thinking about this and askingwhat is important in my life. In the last two weeks, I've been home before dark ONE NIGHT! I've tiptoed into my children's room more times than I care to admit to check on them sleeping lately rather than sitting with them to say bedtime prayers. I think of all the exciting school stories that I missed. How many discoveries have they made in my absence? A child's life is measured by the minute and today's latest and greatest thing is tomorrow's old news. If I am not there I miss it, plain and simple.

This weekend will be different. My traditional weekend trip up to the lake will still happen, but I will have two companions with me to share new adventures together. Talk about a story making it's intended mark! Now if I can only find a similarly spirited story about a wife who comes to terms with the senselessness of picking up wet towels in the bathroom!