How much time do we have left?

[keep]

I had a couple things happen today that got me thinking that you just don't know when you'll be called home or if you have spent the time you had wisely.
1) We have been planning a caribou hunt and have been paying on it for 2 yrs. Well the last payment was made today. I started thinking about the road to get there. Two years ago my boy was not even 2 yet and my daughter was 9. The two years went by in the blink of an eye and pass quicker each day. Sometimes I think I get so focused on hunts I forget to enjoy the time with family and friends and fail to take the time to just watch them, take it all in and enjoy it.
2) Stopped by a client's today and he runs the company with his family. One of his kids that was going to run the company when he retires has gotten sick and the prognosis isn't good. He's young, 43, and his kids are 3 and 5 and don't understand what is going on nor do they know there is limited time left with dad unless he gets a hand from above. He never had a clue there was an issue a couple months ago and now he stands to loose everything. How hard would it be to look at your kids and know you only have a short while until you don't see them again? Or that you won't be there to help them or watch them grow up.

Now that last situation coupled with the first makes me step back and re-access if I'll be disappointed with how I spent my time when the end is staring me in the face.

[JerryC]

Prayers sent for your friend and his family.You have to live each day like it's the last, that way there are no worries.

[Mayhem]

i have alot to say, but cant seem to get the words out.. all i know is if for some reason i had to leave this life early and leave behind my wife and little girl, i do know that i will spend eternity in heaven..

[SMUMan02]

Precisely why I've virtually given up weekend activities. I have a job that requires lots of time and I refuse to miss my kids' growing up because I'm fishing. When they are old enough to go with me, I'll go back, but golf and fishing and hunting have been severly restricted so I can spend my Saturdays with them.

[El Paisano]

GOD does not promise us that we will be on this earth tomorrow.

[Ricky T]

Paisano's right. I spent way too much time away when my kids were young. Had a high stress job and felt the time away was justified. Paid for it dearly. Stay home and whip your kids daily.

[Death from Above]

Great post.....not only should we cherish time with family, but remeber to share His Love.....even if it in a hunting camp.

[Closetohome]

Great post...its easy to get caught up in the rat race and forget what means the most in life.

[scotty]

I lost my Dad to ALS when I was 12. He and Mom decided that it was better if my sister and I didn't know how serious it was. I regret to this day not spending all my time with him those last few months. I've since made it the priority in my life to put my wife and son first. (after God, of course) Everything else is secondary in importance. Spending quality time with your family is what it's all about. You never know what tomorrow will bring.

[keep]

Great post...its easy to get caught up in the rat race and forget what means the most in life.

Thanks, I guess this is what I was trying to say but got long winded and caught up in why I was thinking like I was.

[mhbaseball]

very sad.....alot going on in the TBH world that makes u sit back and take it all in!!!

[chongo]

Last deer season was my first with a kid - I used to hunt all weekend through sunday night,make the late night drive home - I left the lease after a sat. morning hunt once - and a few times sat. night - Felt guilty for being gone when I should have been spending time with my son - this year will be no different - don't even have a lease this year - I love hunting and will fully engross my son in it when he is old enough - but I rather spend my time at home with him and my wife because in the end that is all that really matters.

Something I keep in mind - Some of yall might remember the little girl Layla Grace from the Houston area - there was a thread about her - she recently died and her mom posted on her blog about how when Layla was throwing a fit or "helping" load or unload the dishwasher that she wished she could just get a break and Layla take a nap or something and how she wishes she had those moments back. I catch myself all the time wishing my son would take a nap or just give me 5 minutes to get something done with being interupted but I remind myself - you don't know what tomorrow brings, enjoy what you can while you can.

Good thread Keep

[techsan]

Great post...its easy to get caught up in the rat race and forget what means the most in life.

x2

[Little Dave]

I ponder that at times, but I take my sons with me. My oldest son is eight and he got his hunting license back in March. There's no minimum age in Washington, I figured he was ready. A few days ago I taught him how to sight in his .243... he's shooting a two inch group at 100 yards.

[Keg]

I try to balance work and time with family........My dad is getting older and I have thought of spending more time with him lately........