Editors

On Monday night, after a long day at the office and a beach walk with the dog, I arrived home with my son, ready to start dinner.

“Mum, can you play basketball with me?” he asked as we pulled into the driveway, suggesting I park on the grass so we could wheel the hoop out.

“Not tonight, darling, it’s a bit late,” I replied, pulling into the driveway.

But then I looked at his little face — and paused. Is it really ever too late? Are we ever too tired to give just 10 minutes to our kids?

I swerved onto the grass, we wheeled out the hoop, and despite my body aching from a day at the desk, I threw myself into it. At first, I was stiff and sluggish, but soon enough my competitive streak kicked in and I forgot my middle-aged limbs as he ran circles around me on our makeshift court.

Later, after dinner: “Mum, do you want to do a night swim?”

My body said no, but my heart said yes. Minutes later, we were splashing around in the dark, laughing under the stars.

These moments are fleeting. At eight, he still wants to spend time with me — but that window won’t stay open forever.

I recently spoke to a friend whose only regret, now that her kids are grown, was not playing with them more. Another friend’s son just turned 18 — I remember when he was younger than mine is now.

Life moves fast. Say yes to the basketball. Say yes to the swim. Say yes to the moments that matter — and maybe, let’s make the rest of the year a “yes” to the things that truly count.

Rach

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