The Kindness Of Time

The Kindness of Time

Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

My father-in-law, Al, was forty-eight when my husband was born, and he retired from his career at United Airlines during Tim’s childhood in Colorado. My husband was always an athlete who loved to play football and baseball, but the joke in his family is that for as many practices and games as Tim attended, Al attended one more.

On the day of that practice, Tim was home sick but had a science project due. His science teacher happened to be one of his football coaches, so Al dropped off the project while the coaches and team were on the field practicing. Even though Tim wasn’t there, Al decided he might as well stay and finish watching the practice. Afterward, they had a good chuckle over the fact that Dad had gone to a practice his son hadn’t been able to make it to.

Even now, one thing that makes my husband smile is recalling the way his father made it a point to attend every practice and game that Tim had in high school. Every single one. In fact, Tim says that he felt like his Dad was part of the team, standing on the sidelines with the players. When Tim went on to play football at a college in another state, Al flew across the country or drove hours in a rental car to attend his games. Al’s subtle, quiet support of his son’s passion for sports was an outward expression of the love he had for his child. The kindness of Al’s attention wasn’t showy, but steady—his effort to show up and be present more meaningful than any expensive gift could ever be.

It probably wasn’t always convenient for Al to sacrifice his time, but his faithful showing up was one of the highlights of Tim’s childhood. Recently we found out that Al’s own father, who died when he was in high school, had made it a point to do the very same thing for Al when he was a child. His father’s early passing left an indelible impression on him of the importance of time and the brevity of this life. Years later, the legacy of time was one that he passed along to his son, who now makes it a point to show that same kindness and sacrifice to our daughters.

—Kristin

— Today’s Act of Kindness —

Give someone the gift of your time.