The Hug for Later

On Father’s Day, I gave my dad a hug. After I let go, he hugged me again and said, “this is a hug for later. One day you are going to need a hug from your dad and I won’t be around to give it to you. So I want you to always remember this hug and cling to it when you need it.”

You guys, this completely wrecked my heart and soul.

My dad and I have always been close. I truly think of him as one of my greatest hero’s. He has so much wisdom and love to share, and I never want to imagine one day of my life without him.

Just 5 days ago, my husband’s dad passed away. Father’s day was especially hard for him. My husband was recently able to forgive his dad for some past hurts. But he longs for that one last chance to tell his dad how much he loved him. To give him one more hug.

One mores

I believe that we will always wish that we had one more conversation. One more hug. One more I love you. And although we may long for those “one mores,” I hope that we have no regrets. Whether it’s things that we wish we wouldn’t have said or done, or those things that we never took the opportunity to say or do.

Actually, as I was typing this blog post, my youngest son asked me if I wanted to go for a walk. My first thought was, “no, I want to get this blog post done so I’m not up half the night trying to finish it.” Then it hit me that I’m passing up an opportunity to spend quality time with my son. I quickly put my computer to the side, slipped on my shoes, and took a nice evening stroll with my husband and our youngest. A decision that I will never regret. The blog post still got done (although maybe a little later than I had hoped). But like Mary in Luke 10, I chose what was better. 

Eternal Perspective

We are all faced with choices to make every day. I don’t know about you, but I often feel pulled in a thousand directions. One thing I have learned over the years is to make my choices from an eternal perspective. To make the choice that will leave me with no regrets.

Cherish the time you have with loved ones. Be completely present in each moment you have with them. I know it sounds cliche, but life is short. Don’t ever take one moment for granted. Laugh. Make memories. Go on that walk. And let’s pass around that “hug for later” because none of us are promised tomorrow.