This year we had the privilege of attending two graduations. My oldest nephew graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and my youngest from a high school in Michigan. At the high school graduation my niece orchestrated a photographer to take family pictures of all of us for the first time ever. This got me to thinking about the importance of capturing those family moments when you have the opportunity to do so.

When we are younger, there seem to be many moments that families come together as a whole and for various reasons. Times when then opportunity presents itself to capture the moment, but for one reason or another we simply don’t take the time or put in the effort to ensure that the photo opportunity happens. Sure, people snap one off’s with their phones or cameras, but we never seem to bring everyone together to get that single great shot that includes the family as a whole. Then everyone starts to grow up and everything changes.

Marriages happen, people graduate and move off to college, families are living in multiple states and the reasons to bring everyone together become less and less. One by one we start to lose people in the family and the ability to capture the family as a whole becomes impossible. In those rare moments when you are able to assemble everyone in the same place at the same time, it is incredibly important to take advantage of that opportunity and capture that moment for posterity. Not just for ourselves, but for future generations that will want to look back on those that came before them and have the history that is an important part of their own lives.

The day before this picture we had a really bad day with my dad as he continues to deal with his Lymphoma and the effects of the trip from Florida to Michigan. However, come picture day he mustered the energy to be there and be part of the special event. There on that lawn on a beautiful sunny day, we captured four generations together in one place and it was magical.

So, as you attend family gatherings in the future and have an opportunity to get everyone together in one place, take advantage of it. When I look at the pictures they make me smile, fill my heart and remind me that you have to take every opportunity to enjoy every moment you have with family when the ability to do so presents itself. People won’t always be here to be a part of those amazing photos and tomorrow is never guaranteed. Grab today and make it special.

Have a great day and remember to be the reason someone smiles.

Ron

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Mornings with Ron is now available as a podcast at anchor.fm/morningswithron or on iHeart Radio, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Spotify or most podcast sites.