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- My dad died before he could retire. It shifted the way I approach life. (businessinsider.com)
Life’s too short to wait for “someday.” That’s the lesson I learned in my early 20s after losing my dad to cancer at 51 and my uncle unexpectedly at 57.
They worked hard their whole lives, dreaming of a retirement that never came. Their absence taught me a powerful lesson: Embrace the present.
That’s the philosophy my husband and I adopted when we started our family. We decided to actively live our lives, not just wait for retirement. This mindset has shaped our parenting, traditions, and even our children’s futures.
Take my son’s travel hockey. Instead of viewing those out-of-town games as a burden, we turned them into family adventures.
We explored quirky museums and local diners in places like Erie, Pennsylvania, Blaine, Minnesota, and Lake Placid, New York. These weren’t bucket-list destinations, but they became special because we experienced them together.
We weren’t just watching hockey; we were creating lasting memories.
Our love for Virginia Tech, our alma mater, led us to buy a second home in Blacksburg. This wasn’t just about reliving our college days.
It was about establishing family traditions around football weekends and creating a sense of belonging for our kids. Fall Saturdays in Blacksburg, surrounded by friends and the electric atmosphere of Lane Stadium, became a cherished ritual.
Years later, both our children chose to attend Virginia Tech, a testament to the powerful memories we built there.
Creating traditions became a cornerstone of our family life. Every December, my daughter and I embark on a mother-daughter holiday trip to New York City.
It’s our special time to explore, see the Rockettes, and soak in the holiday magic. We even took our tradition international with a trip to Paris, and now we’re planning another European adventure.
Meanwhile, my husband and son bonded over their own tradition: traveling to Washington Capitals away games. These trips, while not extravagant, were intentional opportunities to connect and create shared experiences.
Our focus on living in the present has influenced our children’s perspectives as well. Now in their 20s, they embrace the same philosophy, prioritizing experiences and creating memories with their friends and loved ones. They understand that a fulfilling life isn’t about waiting for retirement; it’s about saying “yes” to spontaneity and being present in every moment.
We’re often told to work hard now and enjoy life later. But as I’ve learned, “later” isn’t guaranteed.
Financial security is important, but so are joy, connection, and shared experiences. These are the things that truly enrich our lives.
Our family’s story is a testament to the power of choosing presence over postponement. Our adventures, big and small, have become the milestones we cherish most.
They are the memories that define us. We didn’t wait to live, and we’re not about to start now.
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- My dad died before he could retire. It shifted the way I approach life. (businessinsider.com)