When things didn’t go his way, he’d complain
about how ungrateful everyone was.  After all,
he was working hard to give them everything
they needed, wasn’t he?  It sure wasn’t that he
enjoyed working.  He wanted to be home with
his family, but in trying to give them everything
he missed as a child, he had to work.  Why couldn’t
everyone see that? 

Years later he lost the job he’d had while his
children were growing up.   These empty days
gave him time to think and when he thought about
everything he’d given for that job, he was mad.
He was mad at the company, and he was
mad at himself for being such a fool.  He thought of all the things
he had missed with his family.  Birthday parties,
games, activities, and just time.  For years he felt
he was making sacrifices for his family; now he
realized that he had actually sacrificed his
family.   In his absence, he had lost their affection
and they had basically learned to live without him. 
If he could have gone back in time and done things
differently, he would have gladly done it, but unfortunately,
the past is over and gone, and the only time we have
to make changes is today.

Little children are forgiving and if you recognize
that you’ve made some decisions that aren’t good for your
family, then do something about it today.  
You won’t change overnight, but by putting
your family first, you will begin to see a change
in attitudes all around.  If your children are grown,
it may take more than a simple apology and vow
to do better.  You’re going to have to show them
that you’ve seen the light and that you’re serious
about being there for them.

You may want to pull your family together
and tell them what you’re feeling.  Tell them
you realize you’ve made some mistakes but
you want to make things right.  Let them know
you want to be a part of their lives.  It will
help you to say the words and it will help them
to know that you realize it.  When I was growing up,
 my father would have died before he ever admitted
that he made a  mistake.   Unfortunately, he did pass away
at the age of 51, and all of us were left to deal with
unresolved issues.

I’ve always believed that the best work we will
ever do is right here in our own homes.  Too
many times we seek for the riches of the
world when the true treasures are those
little ones who want nothing more than
to feel that they are loved.  Years from now
your children won’t place any value on the
gifts you’ve given them, but they will remember
the time you spent together.