The Gift : Family

Lou Suffern is a businessman,running all day,everyday,always wishing he was two,capable of being in two places at the same time.He worship work,and think his family cannot fire him,but his work can,and therefore neglect the people he share his life with.But then one day,he meet someone who changes his life,and he actually turns into two.And then,another day his life changes again,and he realises he should've paid much heed to his family,because at the end of the day,they're all that matter.
When I finished reading this book "The Gift" written by famous Irish writer Cecelia Ahern,I was stuck.And no,I wasn't stuck in the book,but instead in the point that the writer made in the end.I could keep myself in the protagonist's shoes,and if you read the book,I can bet you could too.This could've been anyone's story in any part of the world.

When a baby is born,everyone around celebrates.They take care of the baby,providing him/her with everything he or she needs,sometimes even before him or her asking.But one day he/she moves out,to fly into the vast sky on their own,just like birds,which is a good and necessary thing to do.But what they overlook is the fact that even birds,no matter how far they wander,after some time,return to the place they belong : their nest,their home,because they know that the skies are great horizons to explore,but home is a safe haven and a beautiful heaven.

We all are becoming persons of ironies. Ask a man about the status of his work profile and he will give you updates within minutes,but ask him what is his daughter's favorite color,and he will look at you like an alien.Businessman 1 Parent 0.
Your parents are waiting for you to come on weekend,they haven't seen you in ages,haven't heard your voice for days,but you decide to cancel the plan and work instead because you want a promotion.Employee 1 Child 0
Your siblings have been planning this trip enthusiastically for months now,but you say no to them because you've to go on a business trip.Apprentice 1 sibling 0
It's your better half's birthday,and you're instead in a client's meeting. Success 1 love 0.Everytime you choose something over them,you lose. Only if you had the heart to feel the loss.

All our life we work so hard to achieve our goals and dreams,and in that struggle we often overlook the sacrifices our family makes for us.Our parents made so many sacrifices in their then present,just to make our now futures.Can't they ask a little part of our present now ?Our siblings gave away their precious stuff to us,just to make us happy,can't we make them happy now by giving them some time ?  Our better halves,who made us their priority,don't they deserve much more than the world itself ? Our young ones,who can make us see the God in the most innocent form,don't they need our finger to hold onto ?
You can argue that whatever you're doing,you're doing for them,their secured future. But ask yourself,are you really ? If you'll honest,the answer would most probably be no.There is a high certainty,you're doing it for yourself. You're doing it to match the standards you have set up for yourself,and they're just getting high day by day.You are over working just to meet the parameters of growth you have imagined in your head . You're doing it to earn the materialistic things you confuse success with.Some of you can say that you can give attention to your family once you retire,no ? Well my friend,until you've a pact with death that it will ring you up before coming to take you or them,that plan doesn't look so smart,does it ? I am not even sure if I'll be alive tomorrow,and you're sure about being alive till sixty. Optimism ? Foolishness ?

It is good to be passionate and honest about one's work,and really should be because it provides you social status,respect,money,direction and value. But,one should also be equally passionate and honest about his/her family too.You can have a majestic house,but without family it'll be just empty and lifeless. You can drive a porsche latest model,but it will utmost take you to people who don't really care about you.You can travel the world in business class,but deep down you know the feeling that there is no-one back home waiting for you.Families fills the gaps within us . They make the houses into homes.Family makes one want to return.Family makes us feel wanted,because we know that there are some people who are always waiting for us.Family can indeed fire us,but they won't,because thier love is real and unconditional.

No matter who you're,or how old you're,or where in the world you're,there would be some people who will smile when you smile,cry when you cry or will try to make you smile when you cry,will take care of you when you fall sick and will value you just the same even when you fail . These people are your family.Rest of the world come and go,but they,they stick to you and stay around for your entire lives . They should be your priority. Your company,or your employer can replace you in a minute,but they never will.Even when you under perform.So give them what they really deserve and want.Your attention,affection,
time and most importantly,your love and care.A phone call here and there,a little weekend visit,celebrating their big days,or just being present with them when they want you to.Some small actions makes big differences.I hope your family finds more value and place in your life in 2016.Show them that they matter,because they do.And obviously,I cannot imagine even the richest of people dying on the bed made of money,but on one surrounded by his/her loved ones.Can you ? I hope not.

So if you're lucky enough to receive the gift in the form of your family,I recommend to identify your luck and cherish your gift wisely. Because neither everyone is lucky enough to have been endowed with this gift,nor you're going to have this luck forever.

  

                                 "When everything goes to hell,
                                     people who stand by you
                                           without flinching -
                                         they,are your family. "