“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.”

— George Santayana, The Life of Reason

Ever watch co-workers try to figure out who’s missing so they can start a meeting? It always takes a few seconds to remember that Fred is on vacation or Sally is home sick.

Our get well card for a fellow Toastmaster who is sick. I hope she understands we miss her.

A lot of groups are like that, also. Whether it’s a club like Rotary or Toastmasters, a group of friends at a bar, or a recreation softball team, we have a hard time recognizing the missing person.

There is one group, though, that always knows who’s missing – a family. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, or the hole left by a college-bound child, everyone knows when a family member is gone.

If you want your club or office to be more like a family, take a moment at your next meeting to see who’s missing. If someone is absent unexpectedly, give a little time to drop them an email or make a phone call and let them know they’re missed.

A family always knows who’s missing.

Yesterday’s gift of time … Brought a get-well card to our Toastmasters meeting and asked everyone to sign it for a member who has come down with whooping cough.