Putting Family First

by:  Joyce Moseley Pierce

(586 words)

I once knew a man who spent his life working and

trying to provide for his family.  More than

anything, he wanted to be successful.  In his

mind, that meant making a lot of money and

having material things to show for it - nice

house, new car, expensive suits, cash in hand.

Because he worked all the time, he rarely

had time for his family, and when he was home,

he carried the pressures of the job with him.

He didn't have much to say, but he could lose

his temper without warning and send his

children running to their rooms.  To escape

reality, he sat in front of the television every

night and lived someone else's life.

When things didn't go his way, he'd complain

about how ungrateful everyone was.  After all,

he was working hard to give them everything

they needed, wasn't he?  It sure wasn't that he

enjoyed working.  He wanted to be home with

his family, but in trying to give them everything

he missed as a child, he had to work.  Why couldn't

everyone see that? 

Years later he lost the job he'd had while his

children were growing up.   These empty days

gave him time to think and when he thought about

everything he'd given for that job, he was mad.

He was mad at the company, and he was

mad at himself for being such a fool.  He thought of all the things

he had missed with his family.  Birthday parties,

games, activities, and just time.  For years he felt

he was making sacrifices for his family; now he

realized that he had actually sacrificed his

family.   In his absence, he had lost their affection

and they had basically learned to live without him. 

If he could have gone back in time and done things

differently, he would have gladly done it, but unfortunately,

the past is over and gone, and the only time we have

to make changes is today.

Little children are forgiving and if you recognize

that you've made some decisions that aren't good for your

family, then do something about it today.  

You won't change overnight, but by putting

your family first, you will begin to see a change

in attitudes all around.  If your children are grown,

it may take more than a simple apology and vow

to do better.  You're going to have to show them

that you've seen the light and that you're serious

about being there for them.

You may want to pull your family together

and tell them what you're feeling.  Tell them

you realize you've made some mistakes but

you want to make things right.  Let them know

you want to be a part of their lives.  It will

help you to say the words and it will help them

to know that you realize it.  When I was growing up,

 my father would have died before he ever admitted

that he made a  mistake.   Unfortunately, he did pass away

at the age of 51, and all of us were left to deal with

unresolved issues.

I've always believed that the best work we will

ever do is right here in our own homes.  Too

many times we seek for the riches of the

world when the true treasures are those

little ones who want nothing more than

to feel that they are loved.  Years from now

your children won't place any value on the

gifts you've given them, but they will remember

the time you spent together.

Copyright 2005 Joyce Moseley Pierce
Joyce Moseley Pierce is a freelance writer,
publishes the Family First weekly ezine,
and pushes preparedness beyond food storage.
Visit her site, www.emersonpublications.com
to register for the newsletter, to read
past issues, to order her book, "All They'll
Need to Know," or just to learn more about
how you can protect your loved ones.