Have you ever heard that phrase?

I know I saw it in a movie once. Probably some movie from the 50s, when men wore hats all the time. Wait! I remember… it was in It’s a Wonderful Life! It was a joke, of course, that someone was being shown the door but to be polite, the person implied they needn’t go. Anyway, the phrase just popped into my head.

Have you ever lingered too long somewhere? Ever been given the evil eye by a maitre d’ or waitress? Ever close down a bar, restaurant or tavern? I know I have done so many times. I guess it is my tendency to talk that allows time to fly by to the point where a place is closing and I didn’t notice how late it had become!

In my family, we joke about my brother, Jim. He happens to be married to Jennifer who is someone who LOVES having guests and hosting events. She is a wonderful host, having coordinated more than her share of birthday parties, dinner parties, youth groups and even mission trips! But she is married to her opposite. And he, while tolerant of gatherings, does not love them.

More than once, Jennifer has offered to have one of the girls’ events at their house. I don’t remember if it was a birthday, a christening party or what, but I remember what happened at the end of the event. We were sitting on their back porch. I was next to my brother. He quietly said, “What time is  this thing over?” I looked at my own watch and realized it had technically ended a few minutes beforehand. When I mentioned this, he stood up, made a point of looking at his watch and said loudly, “Will you look at the time!”

We all laughed, because that is just how he is. I’m pretty sure that, at that point, he went to bed. Seriously, he does not play. But we also took the not-so-subtle hint and headed home.

I have no idea why that phrase just popped into my head just now, but I am so glad it did. Thinking about my brother and his wife and all that they did for me over the past 30 years brings me immeasurable joy. It would be more than one blog post to share everything, but it started with a shy 16 year old who flew to Belgium all by myself and it continues today.

I miss them. They moved to St. Louis. I know it was a good thing. But I really do miss them.

Happy Friday, everyone. Make sure you tell someone you love them. Tomorrow is never promised.