"Daddy, how much do you make an hour?" with a timid voice and idolizing eyes, the little boy greeted his father as he returned from work.

Greatly surprised, but giving his boy a glaring look, the father said: "Look, sonny, not even your mother knows that. Don't bother me now, I'm tired."

"But Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour, " the boy insisted. The father, finally giving up, replied: "Twenty dollars per hour."

"Okay, Daddy. Could you loan me ten dollars?" the boy asked.

Showing his restlessness and positively disturbed, the father yelled: "So that was the reason you asked how much I earn, right? Go to sleep and don't bother me anymore!"

It was already dark and the father was meditating on what he said and was feeling guilty. Maybe he thought , his son wanted to buy something. Finally, trying to ease his mind, the father went to his son's room.

"Are you asleep, son?" asked the father.

"No, Daddy. Why?" replied the boy, partially asleep.

"Here's the money you asked for earlier, " the father said.

"Thanks, Daddy!" rejoiced the son, while putting his hand under his pillow and removing some money.

"Now I have enough! Now I have twenty dollars!" the boy said to his father, who was gazing at his son, confused at what his son had just said. "Daddy, could you sell me one hour of your time?"

Anonymous

It is so easy to forget what really matters. We live in a hectic world and sometimes we lose track of what is really important. If you ask people why they are working their answer will usually include something about family. At first, when we are struggling to get by, it is, I need to take care of my family. Later as we get a litle more prosperous, we will say we want our families to have what we didn't.

The sad truth is that our children grow up so fast that one day we wake up and realize that we have missed the most important time of their lives and of ours. We find ourselves staring into the face of a child who is getting ready to leave home and we wonder where the years have gone. We look into the face of our mate and think of the good times that we should have had and realize that our values got turned upsidedown.

The reality is that our children and our mates need time with us much more than anything we can buy them. We need to stop and make a fresh commitment to spend more time with those we love. I want to encourage you to give your children and your mate the most precious of gifts.. give them your time.

Make a promise with me, right now. Promise yourself to spend at least a hour a day with your children. Make an investment in your children..Spend time in the floor wrestling, playing a game, coloring, throwing the ball back and forth.. whatever they want to do. Promise to spend more time with your mate.. time listening to them, sitting quietly together, sharing with your heart and your love. You will never regret the time invested in the lives of those you love.