I really LIKE my kids.

I have three of them. They are all adults now; 31, 29 and 23. We were together over the weekend for some BBQ and game playing. Our family is pretty much addicted to board games. There is always a new one to learn.

As we were together and I was thinking about our time since then I have been reflecting on how much I not only love them (because you know that all parents are ‘supposed’ to love their kids), but how much I ‘like’ them; who they are, who they are becoming. Yes, I am proud of them and the strides that they have made in this life to grow and achieve.

But mostly I genuinely ‘like’ them. I like being around them. I like their sense of humor (not just because they got that from me). I like their attitudes towards life. No, those attitudes are not always perfect or positive, but they are working on that, just as I am.

I am thankful for the relationships that we have. There have been struggles along the way and ‘family issues’ that have been very difficult to work through. There have been hard changes and great changes, and I am sure that there are more to come. But I am grateful to the Lord for all that He has done.

On occasions, conversations with business people turn to family. I am often saddened inside when I hear people talk about relationships with kids that are either non-existent or just tolerated. I can recall two conversations where guys lamented going on vacation with their kids because of all the conflict or inconvenience there would be. Others will express words of regret when they tell me that they know that they are spending too much time at work and not enough time at home. But they just can’t seem to make the changes necessary to get their priorities together.

Me liking my kids didn’t happen by accident. It has taken a lot of time; 31, 29 and 23 years respectively. I was fortunate to have occupations that allowed me to rarely miss a baseball game or concert. I have initiated phone calls…and now texts. The reward has been great!

It is never too late to change. If there is some distance between you and your kid(s), call (or text) them today. Work can wait.