I’ve read and heard throughout the years that the hours in life break down in the following thirds: we spend a third of our life sleeping (or should if we’re getting eight hours a night), a third of our time at work (or probably more for those of us who work more than eight hours a day), and a third of our time is actually ours (or most likely less if you do the math from the first two). Add to this the quite obvious fact that there are so many unknowns in life - when we’ll die, how much time certain life events will take, etc. - and a quite obvious question emerges. What is of the most importance in life?

I wrote about attempting to find balance in a monthly column a few months back and I’ll be the first to admit that I have not done a good job with managing my time. But this Christmas season has certainly hit home for me. I’ll be more specific. I received an email some time back in regard to our vocation/career. While I’m not downplaying the importance of employment and a paycheck, we are all very replaceable in the workforce. We may believe that we are not, but everyone gets replaced at some point. From custodian to CEO, every company - large or small - is able to move on without us. This email I received echoed the popular thought that has been around for several years now that no one on their deathbed thinks to themself, “Wow, I sure wish I had spent more time at my office!”

The reason this has hit home is that my grandfather may or may not see this Christmas. And it’s certain that he won’t come anywhere close to seeing next Christmas. And his impending death has made me quite contemplative. [Simply to make it known, I asked him a year ago if he would mind if I wrote about him. He was and is of sound mind and said that he didn’t mind so long as I didn’t say anything untrue about him. My suspicion is that he has no idea the impact he has had on my life for the positive and therefore sees no reason that I would want to write anything about him. In his mind, I believe, he was just doing his “job” as a grandfather.] My contemplation has been pretty obvious. I HAVE to sleep as we all do. I do need the paycheck so, although I’m not chasing it per se, it is something that is necessary. So have I spent my remaining third of my life as I have wanted to. Could I have spent more time with him?

In this case, I have been blessed. I am well into my thirties and still have my grandfather. And I certainly have spent many, many quality hours of my life by his side - as a young child and as an adult approaching middle age. I have made every effort to put family first, and believe that is one area I can proudly call a success. And each of us have those in our life who are of the utmost importance this Christmas season - spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparent, cousins, aunts and uncles, nephews, neices, close friends, “adotped” family members, and the list goes on.

This holiday season, may we put our family high on our priority list. After all things considered, our time with them is quite short. As always, I appreciate your comments, whether published or sent to me directly.