Family Visits

I have talked with many folks about the experience of visiting family.  What I have found is that nearly everyone has a similar story.  Each family has its own routine and ways of doing things - and often the routine becomes rather boring. 


In years of visiting my inlaws and my own parents we nearly always do the same things.  Eat and watch tv.  Ok - maybe there is some conversation in there somewhere, but you get the idea.  After we have caught up on each others lives, we have to look for things to do.  Part of the problem, in my family, is that we did not grow up playing together.  Our parents took good care of us, but they worked so hard there was no left over time for fun.  Sounds sad, but it really wasn't so bad.  But, with that back drop it explains why family visits are what they are today. 


Now that mom is our only living parent I want to make visits count.  She and I have a favorite "antique" store where we like to spend time treasure hunting - and we rarely leave empty handed.  We also cook and eat. 


I guess in the long run the most important thing is to regularly spend quality time together making memories.  Everything else will be forgotten.

Mom reminded me that what my grandchildren need is love, attention and security - in years to come they won't remember what I buy them or if their room is decorated perfectly but they will remember the things we do together.  Those are the memories I want to make and the memories I want them to have with my mom.