Every Thanksgiving of my life my mother cooked a huge Thanksgiving meal, the turkey with all the trimmings. This past Thanksgiving was no different except for one thing, I didn’t know it would be the last.
As humans, we often go through life expecting to have another chance to do something. We assume that there will always be another opportunity to spend time with loved ones, pursue our dreams, or experience the things that bring us joy. However, sometimes the last time we do something may truly be the last, and we don’t realize it until it’s too late.
One reason for this is that we often take our lives and experiences for granted. We assume that we have all the time in the world to do the things we want to do and see the people we care about. We don’t realize that life is fleeting and that we may not have as much time as we think. As a result, we may not appreciate the significance of certain moments and may not fully engage with them.
Another reason for our lack of awareness around “lasts” is that we may not want to think about the end. The thought of something coming to a close can be daunting, and we may choose to ignore it or push it to the back of our minds. We may not want to acknowledge that something may be the last time we do it because it feels like a loss or an ending.
However, by not acknowledging that the last time we do something may be truly the last, we may miss out on fully savoring the experience. We may not realize the significance of the moment and may not appreciate it as fully as we could.
It’s important to approach each moment as if it could be the last time we experience it. We should savor each interaction with loved ones, each accomplishment, and each moment of joy. We should recognize that life is unpredictable and that we never know when something may be the last.
By being fully present in each moment, we can create more meaningful experiences and memories. We can appreciate the significance of each moment and cherish the time we have with the people and things we love. We can also approach the future with a greater sense of appreciation and gratitude, knowing that each moment is precious and should be fully embraced.
In conclusion, while we may not always know when the last time we do something will be, it’s important to approach each moment as if it could be the last. By doing so, we can fully appreciate the experiences we have in life and create a deeper sense of meaning and purpose. Life is precious, and every moment counts.
Here is a list of some “last” experiences that parents and children may encounter:
- Last day of preschool or kindergarten
- Last time being tucked in at bedtime
- Last school drop-off or pickup
- Last time helping with homework or a school project
- Last childhood sports game
- Last family vacation before the child moves out
- Last time reading a bedtime story together
- Last time teaching a new skill, like riding a bike or tying shoelaces
- Last day of high school or graduation ceremony
- Last time trick-or-treating together on Halloween
- Last time cooking or baking a favorite childhood recipe together
- Last time comforting a child after a bad dream
- Last time watching a favorite childhood movie together
- Last time holding hands while crossing the street
- Last time helping them prepare for a school dance
- Last time cuddling together on the couch or in bed
- Last time you put your child down and never pick him or her up again
These “lasts” occur at different stages in a child’s life. By cherishing each moment and being present in their experiences, parents and children can appreciate these significant milestones in their lives.