Make Time for the People You Care About
“Make time for the people you care about.”
Those words came from a former student this weekend, and they pretty much sum up what I’ve been doing on this ninety-day adventure.
When I left home in September, I had an ambitious agenda: travel roughly six thousand miles, explore national parks, and ride my bicycle in three more states. Riding in Utah, state number forty-nine, was my focus. Somewhere along the way, though, my focus shifted to being more about people than places or accomplishments.
This summer, before I was even sure this trip was going to happen, I made tentative plans to reconnect with several friends along my route. I had high hopes that the pieces would all come together, but traveling in a motorhome doesn’t always go according to plan. Looking back, I am amazed at how the first half-dozen visits “fell into place.”
Over the past week, three reunions that required a little more coordinating actually happened! First, I spent time with Judy, the friend you read about (or will read about) in Finding Joy in the West. Next was Pam, a friend from my cross-country bicycle ride. Finally, I met up with Jai’mon, a former elementary school student.
Making these visits happen took some effort and flexibility on both sides. And I’m not finished yet! I’ve still got several people to see between here and home. Coordinating everyone’s schedules might be my biggest challenge yet! But that’s what we do for people we care about.
My mom used to say, “People are more important than things.” Isn’t it something that a former student essentially echoed the same lesson?
Who have you been meaning to make time for? Go ahead. Pick up the phone before another day goes by. Make time for the people you care about.
I’m glad you’re part of this journey!
Did someone come to mind as you read this? Pass it along. You might add a little joy to their day.
Joy M. Walker
