Making Time for the People We Love

I woke early this morning thinking about a friend who passed away suddenly.

His life had its ups and downs — even riches to rags — but he lived it fully and, I think, without regrets. When his circumstances changed, his faith never faltered, and he continued to bless others. He travelled the world with his family and came home with story after story of amazing experiences to share. He was always willing to jump into something unexpected, learn something new, or enjoy a conversation with someone he met along the way.

His mind was full of creative ideas, too. In his successful business life and in his church life, he was always thinking about what he could do next. Without going into too much detail, I’ll simply say that he was a blessing to the people around him. He is sorely missed.

Thinking about him made me think about my own life. How easily do meetings, tiredness and the ordinary busyness of life push time with the people we love into “someday”? We mean to get together. We talk about taking a few days away. Then another month passes.

How often do we intentionally make time to connect — or simply to enjoy life with others while our relationships grow deeper? My friend didn’t miss out on that. I don’t want to, either.

As we get older, many of us become more aware that time and energy aren’t things we can take for granted. We aren’t assured of tomorrow. My friends and family will hear me say, “I’ll never be as young as I am today.” It’s my reminder to be grateful for today and make the most of it.

For me, that means planning more time away. A retreat or a few days together can give us room to talk, laugh, share meals, try something new and deepen relationships that matter. It can also be a way to bless someone else — someone whose life has become so busy they may not realize how much they need that time, or someone who may be lonely and would welcome the connection.

I have the privilege of working regularly with people who organize group stays, and I’m honoured to get a small glimpse into their lives. Their ideas for gathering people together inspire me every time.

I’ve noticed some characteristics these planners often have in common. They’re adventurous, organized and keen to make things happen. They think about other people and what would make the time enjoyable for them. Nearly all of them are busy — even the retired planners. Many of the younger ones are successful in their business lives, and I can see some of those same qualities in the way they bring people together. Even with full schedules, they put their energy into making time for others.

They’re the sort of people who take “Just Do It!” to heart. They turn “we should all get together sometime” into dates on a calendar, invitations sent and a trip everyone can look forward to. If you’re the one who makes those plans happen for your group, my hat goes off to you. 

Organizing a large group takes effort. You have to bring people together, consider different needs and keep the plan moving when everyday life gets in the way. I’m thankful for these planners, not just because they’re a big part of my business, but because of what they give to others. They make room for experiences and relationships that might otherwise be lost to busyness.

My friend’s life has made me pause and ask myself: Who would I love to spend more time with? Is there someone I’ve been meaning to reconnect with? What have I been putting off until life slows down?

We can’t get time back. But we can make a plan for the time we have. We can step away from everyday life for a while, give the people we love our attention and enjoy being together. I believe those experiences add value and meaning when we return to our everyday routines, too. We carry the conversations, the laughter and the shared stories home with us.

Whether or not your plans bring you to Pinetree Chalet, I hope this has encouraged you to think of someone you’d love to spend time with — and to make a plan to reconnect. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. What matters is making room for each other.

This morning, I’m grateful for the example my friend gave me. I’m grateful, too, for the people I meet through Pinetree Chalet who remind me that time together is worth making an effort for.

I love my job. It lets me help people make that time together happen.