The single most important thing

[azsnowman]

We are witnessing, IMHO, a decline in society and the values that this country was founded on, what is the single most important thing in your life? Mine....beyond a shadow of a doubt, my family I see so many folks these days focused on material things, a BIGGER, better SUV, a bigger better home, more THINGS to fill their lifes to take up the empty space. The White Mountains has got to be one of the most deverse areas in the country, we see all spectrums of society, the skiers in the winter, the tourists in the summer and the full time residents, which most full timers have a deep rooted faith in God and family. I see ppl these days searching for more things to fill that void, if they would just look around, take a long look in the mirror, they would see that their need for things would greatly decrease if they just became more focused on the most single important thing in life, "The Family!"

Dennis

[Stephanie]

AMEN to that! What a lonely world this is for a person without family.

[streetsoldier]

For reasons I care not to explain here, my concept of "family" is in my son, "firehead" and poogle puppy Annabelle (she be a ho')...EXTENDED family is best described as the people on Storm2K.

For me, personal integrity, honor and commitment are the most important things; no matter how well or poorly you deal with others, you can't fool the "person" in the mirror.

[GulfBreezer]

My priority list is as follows;
GOD
Family

Everything else falls somewhere after those 2, with God, I can conquer anything and He keeps my values and ethics in line as long as He is on top of my list and as long as I choose to allow Him to lead me where I need to be.

[southerngale]

Well, first of all, I think you need God to help the rest of your life run smoothly.

My family is definitely the most important thing to me on earth! Most of my decisions are based on what's best for my kids & hubby. Having my own family changed my priorities dramatically. I was very selfish before having a family of my own. Now I give and I give and I give...

Also, my sister is my best friend. We shop together, go out to eat, hang out while the cousins play, etc. I can't imagine a more honest, loyal, sincere, and fun friend than she is. She is truly the best friend I've ever had. (of course when we were kids we fought like cats & dogs)

I'm very close to my parents as well. I talk to them every single day and see them often. They are so wonderful and giving and I truly can't imagine life without them. I tell my mom often, "I want to go before you because I won't be able to face it if you go first." but of course I realize that I don't want to leave my kids without their mom so....
I don't even want to think about that. I'm loading up the kids this afternoon and we're going to my parents to go swimming. They have a "playground" in their backyard for the grandkids. No joke! 2 large swingsets (one homemade by my dad), a large slide, a teeter-totter, several bench swings, a tree swing, bicycles, tricycles, scooters, a playhouse, volleyball net, basketball court, pool, sandbox, 2 picnic tables, a hammock, golfcart and a yard large enough that they take the younger kids for rides and the older kids can drive. My dad has had it since they lived in Wildwood and he played golf often. Since my dad retired, he spends a lot of time outdoors tending to the yard...planting shrubbery, trees, a garden, etc. and building things. (little things like a wooden shelter for all of the swim toys and another for the bikes, ride-on toys, etc.) His prized possession would have to be his yard....it is truly beautiful and a blast for his grandkids as well as other neighborhood kids. Boy did I get off track here! See, you got me talking about my family and I just went overboard. Sorry

Anyway my family is very special to me. I am close to my brother as well but he doesn't live nearby so I don't see him on a regular basis. Usually on holidays, birthdays, and sometimes in between. But when we get on the phone you can bet it's a LOOOONG conversation.