Weekend Inspiration (A Personal Post)
Last year, I read The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. I have to be honest and say that I actually spent a day at Borders last year and finished reading that book right there in the cafe! My kids were at their Mom’s for the weekend and I sat down with the book to see if I’d like it. I wound up finishing it and putting it back on the shelf!
That’s a little strange for me… most folks know that I’m a book hound. I love owning books and am a ‘hardcover’ snob. This may have started when my Mom got me The Hardy Boys collection as a kid… in hardcover. My hardcover problem is so bad that the other day I was at our Indianapolis Marketing Book club luncheon and noticed someone had a hardcover of Love Is the Killer App: How to Win Business and Influence Friends. I was actually jealous!
I digress! Anyways, I was at Starbucks a couple weeks ago and noticed For One More Day by Mitch Albom. I felt a little guilty since I enjoyed Mr. Albom’s last book and didn’t actually pay for it, so I purchased a copy. I started the book last week and finished it this morning. I love reading in between my work – it clears my head and helps me focus my attention. That may sound a little weird… but if I work non-stop on a project for days, I often have to leave it to regain focus and productivity.
I would recommend this book to anyone. For One More Day is a story that will inspire children, parents, spouses, and even divorcees. There is a message in the book for everyone. Imagine you could spend one more day with someone you loved and lost. How would you spend it? Mine is fairly easy… I miss my family and wished I spent more time with them. I think I do a great job at balancing priorities with my kids, Katie and Bill. Outside of them, though, there’s not much time for my other family members.
If I lost any of them today, I would have regrets… and that’s something that bothers me. My sister is someone I’ve grown away from over the years, I’m not sure why – we just don’t have a lot in common. I wish I were more of an uncle to her kids. She’s got fantastic children, Conner and George. And her stepson is actually serving in the war right now. I know in my heart that Deb is probably not a big fan of the war, so her intense appreciation and respect that she shows her stepson is inspiring.
My grandfather and my grandmother on my father’s side are both folks I dearly miss. I was able to spend time with them before they passed on and feel confident that our time was well spent. My Grandmother, Mary Karr, was someone who would cry every time I remember driving away from her home in Stratford. Towards the end of his life, I remember my Grandfather, Alexander Karr (The “A” in Douglas Alexander and my son William Alexander) doing the same. After he lost his wife, he almost passed away from loneliness. He was blessed in finding Marge and had a girlfriend that saved his life.
My Grandmother on my Mom’s side passed away a while ago. When I was young and in trouble, I lost the respect of my “Nanny and Papa” for quite some time. I was lucky enough to gain my Nanny’s respect before she passed. That was an enormous relief to me. I am still close (as close as you can be from Indiana to Florida) with my Papa, Douglas (yes, the Douglas in Douglas Alexander). Papa is an inspiration to me… he’s got broadband, a suped-up computer, and he mixes and works on his music collection daily. I believe my son has some of his gifts when it comes to music. He’s an incredibly wise person – has lived throughout the world and has a great respect for other human beings.
My Mom is a selfless person. For the time we weren’t close to her parents, I know there was a void in her life. My Mom has come to appreciate spending every moment she can with her parents. I know that when she lost her Mom, it was a huge loss in her life – but no one tried harder to make up time than my Mom. Now she does the same with my Papa. I think my Dad even gets jealous of the time she spends with my Papa. But the truth is that my Mom would do anything for any of the men in her life (me included). My Mom and I had a tough relationship growing up, but I love her very much. I don’t remember her ever holding anything over my head (though she still tells me to drive safely… my tickets and accidents from my youth always fresh in her mind).
Mom and Dad mean the world to me. I wish I lived closer to spend more time. Perhaps when my kids are off to college, I’ll be afforded that opportunity. My Dad has found a new zeal for life in his working retirement, and I enjoy how upbeat he is on the phone. My Dad had an up and down career as a leader and manager – but I never see him happier than when he’s crafted something with his own hands. He’s just as talented at crafting people as he is at crafting wood, though.
My parents have always been there whenever I was in trouble. I’m sometimes too proud to ask for help – but they never make me feel sorry for doing so. They are incredible parents!
One piece of advice in the book is to love your spouse, your kids AND your marriage. I think this is something that my parents have done. Though they have some darn good arguments… my Mom calling Dad some great names, and my Dad irritated at what money Mom spent today… they both love their marriage and that’s why they’ve stuck it out. There were times when it would have been easy to split up – but it was something beyond their love of each other that made them stay together. That’s something you don’t see much these days. It’s sad, but husbands and wives seem more like cars nowadays… something you trade in every once in a while.
I’m forever thankful for my kids and believe I have one of the best relationships that a father could have with his children. My son, Bill, amazes me every day. You can see why on his most recent post on his blog – he’s an inspiration to his friends, and to me. He’s starting to really build a great relationship with his sister, too. Katie is always on the go. This weekend, she spent time with her friend helping to paint their apartment. Katie came home with paint all over her – and never happier. At 12, she talks a lot about being an Interior Decorator. She came home chatting that career up again.
Truth is, I don’t really care how much money my kids make or what career they choose. I just want them to be happy – with their family and their friends. There’s nothing more important! I love each person in my family very much and regret not spending more time with them and not telling them as much as I should.
If you get a chance – read Mitch Albom’s new book. It’s weekend inspiration!
