|
Published: January 05, 2009 04:20 pm
MARREN: Catching up beyond Christmas
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
If you took the same days off that I did — Dec. 23 to Jan. 2 — your vacation started and ended the same way — with a snow shovel in hand.
But the time in between, spent with family and friends, was the best part of the time away from the office. The visits with loved ones could warm you up quicker than a drink by the fire or that Icy Hot on your aching back.
Sure, the week or so break is a good time to rest up and recharge, but it’s also the time of the year where you spend time with friends and family, some of which you may only see once a year.
Here’s a new year’s resolution for you on this first Sunday of 2009: Spend more time with family and friends. More than just those couple days around the holidays. Keep in touch more often that just with Christmas cards.
I think with the world being in such a crazy state of flux with the economy, job loss, housing issues and more, there’s one constant — family and friends will always be there, regardless of the economy.
Loved ones don’t care how much money you make or where you work. They care about relationships and spending time together.
The problem is that in our effort to get as much money as we can and meet our goals to buy big houses and cars, we overlook those loved ones and don’t take the time out to visit, tell old stories or play a board game. These days you might play some Guitar Hero, Wii video games or Seinfeld Scene It.
This Christmas holiday my wife and I were able to host a couple holiday parties with friends and family in our first home. It was a great break from the daily grind and helped create some new memories that we’ll have forever.
From the Dec. 23 to New Year’s Eve we were with friends and family. Busy schedules the rest of the year makes it tough to visit with loved ones that much, but we’re just as guilty as I’m sure many of you are in that we don’t keep in touch and make time for visits as much as we should.
It’s cheesy but true — we all need to work on better use of our time and fit in more time for family and friends.
During our visits this holiday season with loved ones there was no better compliment than to hear from a few that they read this column every week in the newspaper or on our Web site. That, to me, is a creative way of keeping up with the Marrens, especially since I write about Katie so much.
I was amazed at the trend that surfaced during the holiday parties; the world revolves around Facebook. (It’s an online social networking site that apparently everyone is on — except Katie and I.)
I knew we were out of the loop not having a Facebook account, but I didn’t realize how much. Cousins, aunts, uncles, friends — you name it — they are all on Facebook and know a heck of a lot more about each other than Katie and I did. We were clueless on the personal happenings of some of the family members because we don’t have Facebook. Those on the popular Web site talked about old school friends they’ve reconnected with or pictures recently posted that reveal a new boyfriend or girlfriend of an acquaintance.
Those with Facebook knew more about each other than those without.
Some of it is petty or drives the gossip, but it’s modern day contact and something that we may have to embrace. Where our parents made phone calls and sent letters, today’s communication consists of web postings. I know, it’s odd to some, and I’m with you, but it’s better than no communication at all.
The point is it opens that all-year communication instead of just Dec. 23 though Jan. 2, which we all need to improve upon.
If Facebook isn’t your thing, I hear the phone still exists.
Tim Marren is the managing editor of the Lockport Union-Sun & Journal. Contact him at Tim.Marren@lockportjournal.com or 439-9222.
|
|
|
Photos
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Substitute School Nurse
SUBSTITUTE SCHOOL Nurse, Lockport City School District, Up to $20/hr. 478-4820 ...>MORE
Nursing Manager
NURSING MANAGER-TELEMETRY. Full-time evenings. 9.5 hour shifts. NYS RN license with min. two years nursing experience wi...>MORE
MEDICAL SECRETARY: FT for Lkpt primary care office. Exp. preferred. Call/msg 807-1618...>MORE
LPN
LPN Lewiston, overnight; Pediatric LPN, Tona, days /nights; Pediatric nurses. NF, days & nights. Diana, Allstate Home...>MORE
cosmetologist teacher
Cosmetologists NYS lic., will train to teach NYS cosmetology curriculum 836-6240 or fax 836-3571...>MORE
service greeter
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE
CARPENTER: Framing, 3-5 years exp. $11-15/hr DOE. Transportation necessary. 716-689-6829...>MORE
Cook Manager
COOK /Manager full time exp. req. Call for appt. 297-2500 ask for general manager. ...>MORE
automotive service technician
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE
Receptionist
Dental Office Receptionist Responsible for front desk duties. Mon., Tues. & Wed. 8-5, Thurs. and Fri. varia...>MORE
See all ads |
Mercury 1999 Grand Marquis
Mercury ‘99 Grand Marquis 4 dr, leather, all options, 49k org mi., showroom cond. $6000. 860-2854, ...>MORE
Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer 531-3548, 297-1526...>MORE
Buick 2005 Lesabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE
Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT 25,800 mi, ext. warranty Exc. Cond, $16,500 297-2199...>MORE
Chevy 2003 Impala
CHEVY 2003 Impala 25,600 miles, loaded Exc. Cond. $10,000/bo 297-2199...>MORE
Dodge 2001 Neon
Dodge 2001 Neon 4 dr, auto, a/c, new tires, c/d no rust, inspected, $3900. white 860-2854...>MORE
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE
See all ads |
|
See all ads |
|
 |
|