Enjoy The Journey

Post By: Recurring Contributor, Michael Ginsburg

My grandfather won’t text me back, but he’ll look at my LinkedIn page. He looked at it twenty separate times before connecting with me, but still no text.

One of my uncles called me the day before my birthday, and said “I wanted to wish you a happy birthday today so I don’t forget tomorrow.” Another just forgot…a few years running now.

Richard’s wedding was at Disney world, but his life was far from a fairytale. When he was young, his mother passed away—something that would tarnish his immediate familial relationships irreparably.

Last year, before I returned to college, I visited my uncle one last time to say see you later. My relationship with him was never more than a few texts and dinners a year until his body started deteriorating. When his cancer hit, we were optimistic, yet, amidst the reality of Richard’s terrible disease I managed to rekindle a long neglected relationship.

Suddenly, we found more time to speak and see each other. Monthly texts turned into weekly ones; forced semi-annual dinners became regular welcomed occurrences. We bonded over the Orioles’ recent success, as well as that of the Ravens. His carefree, positive attitude and outlook was contagious. He had us living in the moment, day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute.

You learn a lot about the people you surround yourself with or who you’re forced to spend time with–for better or worse. Whether they make you live for a moment or won’t even give you a moment, cherish it.

“Enjoy the journey,” Richard told me, “don’t worry quite yet about the destination.”