Show up for your kid- even if you are going to be late

My son had an end of the year picnic at school, and I had to facilitate an important meeting at work. I knew I will be late to the picnic if I go after the meeting. Feeling a bit guilty about not being able to be there for the picnic, I realized that showing up is simply what mattered. The fact that I made time and effort to show up was all that I needed to do. Growing up, my parents never made it to these kinds of events. And I always secretly wished that they would show up. And they never did. Then I gave myself a pat on the back for always being there for my children.