Precious resources Published Nov. 28, 2012 By Chaplain (Capt) Aaron Klaves 452 AMW chapel staff MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, CALIF. -- These days, we hear a lot about the many different resources available in the military. If you are in need of financial help, you can choose from various military programs being offered. If you have legal issues or questions, most military bases have a legal staff that provides tons of helpful information. On the other hand, you may need advice on how to purchase a home; family support services maintain libraries full of this free, valuable information. With so much information available, have you ever stopped to consider what your most valuable resource is? In the Bible we read, "Children are God's best gift. Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are parents' children. Blessed are those whose quiver is full of them. Their enemies don't stand a chance against them." If you have a child or a young person in your life, consider him or her as very valuable resource. He or she comes with unlimited potential and endless possibilities and may be the one you look to in the future for a helping hand. However, for the moment, this resource requires very special attention and care. So, what are you doing to invest in your most treasured of resources, your children? This holiday season, as events and activities begin to demand more and more of your attention--both at work and home--do not forget to spend some of it with the younger ones in your life. Here is an idea: take a quick break in the middle of a busy weekend afternoon and take your children, one at a time if possible, out for a quick lunch to their favorite restaurant, or a treat at the ice cream shop. Then, when they are least expecting it--when you have sat them down and have their undivided attention--start a meaningful conversation. You might want to begin with, "So, how's life?" You will definitely be surprised how far little bits of time consistently carved out of a hectic schedule really can go. At the end of the day, it is not the holiday gifts, food, or parties that last the longest with kids (over the years I have forgotten so many), but the one-on-one moments you have invested in them. That is what they will remember the most. Happy Holidays and God bless!