Last month we lost a dear friend and family member.

I admit, I took many candid photos during Tammy’s 7 year battle with cancer. My mother-in-law had Stage 3 cancer during almost 90% of my marriage to Sarah so far, and there were seasons we were uncertain about how much time we would have left with her. So, I kept a heightened awareness to note moments like these.

Tammy was as encouraging, loving, and welcoming of a mother-in-law as I could have ever asked for. Through losing her, she taught me something for which I’m very grateful.

All of our time with one another is limited.

Once that sinks in, trivial things aren’t worth the time we spend on them in the long run. Priorities shift. Granted, nobody is guaranteed tomorrow, but when there is a comprehendible timeline in place, you work within those constraints.

When you budget your finances, you do better with your money. When you budget your caloric intake, you can become healthier.

But what about budgeting time?

My children each have roughly 940 weeks, Lord willing, from birth to when they depart for college. MC has already used 138 of those weeks (15%), Poppy, only 25 weeks (2%). I like to think I have made the best of them so far, but I know I could do better.

Tammy has taught me to be more cognizant of the time I get to spend with those around me, and for that, I’m forever grateful. I’ll see to it that Nana’s memory will give her granddaughters a better childhood.

vcD,
-R