It’s Not Just About The Game

Usually I spend the annual late January/early February Big Game Sunday watching the football game at home, keeping it on the mellow side.

I do pick up a few game-time food items to enjoy. You know, the usual pizza and chicken wings, and maybe some mozzarella sticks. It's the type of food that has very little calories....right?

Well, a couple of weeks ago, while I was speaking with my Mother on the phone (we used to call that a long-distance call), I mentioned it might be nice to get together with her, my brothers and sisters and have a party to watch the Big Game. My family lives in and around the Corning/Painted Post area, and I don't get home too often to spend time with them.

I never made any concrete plans, and as time got close to the football weekend, I decided it was best to just stay home. Had I gone, it would require a 3 hour round trip, and the game begins late on a Sunday.
Well, that didn't set well with the family, since they thought it was a done deal. Out of guilt (and shame) I took the trip on Sunday to party with the family.

My Mother paid for the food (as usual - and yes, we did offer to pay her back) which came to an unbelievable amount of cash. Those pizzas and wings must have been laced with gold.

The real point of all this is, I don't get to see my family often, and it reminded me that when the opportunity exists, whether it's a party, picnic, birthday or just to get away and catch up on family happenings, take it.
My nieces and nephews have all grown up so fast, and I wish I could have been more a part of their lives.

I ran into one of my cousins during my visit who I had not seen in a long time.
We reminisced about our childhood, and losing a beloved Uncle who had just passed away. It felt good to re-connect with him after such a long time.

It all made me realize, a 90 minute ride to be with family is not really that far away. Make the trip no matter how close or how far, because life is too short, and you don't want to miss out on something, especially when it comes to family.