Tragedy and Personal Reflection

What a horrific week! The devastation in Mississippi, Alabama and of course in Louisiana is almost impossible to comprehend. So many questions and too few answers! How could this happen, why did this happen, what needs to happen to fix all those that have been affected? All we are left with is speculation and shock that this is actually happening right here in our own country!

I was telling my wife just the other day how the stress of a particular project I have been working on had been driving me nuts. I had been really feeling sorry for myself. The odds weren’t playing in my favor. I haven’t achieved this, haven’t accomplished that and I am not yet reaching the results that I want and therefore it has me angry, frustrated, worried and unhappy. Yet when I compare what I am going through in my own mind to those who, right now are having to deal with complete and utter loss; loss of families, loss of their homes, their businesses, their lives as they once knew it. I just plain feel stupid for worrying about my minor crap.

So why BLOG about this? How many of us went to bed in a comfortable bed last night? How many of us took a hot shower this morning. How many of us got up during the football game last night and got a cold drink? How many of us locked our homes as we left for work or school knowing full well that we could expect to see our things when we return home tonight?

This week has proven several things to me. No matter how big my personal or professional obstacles might be, they are nothing compared to the millions who have been affected by this most recent tragedy. It has given me yet another reason to slow down and take notice of all that I have and all that is near and dear to my heart. I give thanks for all the blessings I have in my life; especially my family, my friends, those that I have crossed paths with because of my book or just by happenstance writing this BLOG.

I awake today with a new sense of appreciation for that which life has offered me and allows me to still have today and express a sincere concern for those that I can not immediately help.

Those Special Dad Moments

"Daddy, thanks for taking me for a ride. I am really having a fun, special time with you." With those words, my son Zachary made my Sunday morning and ultimately my life! We had just stopped for a break from the hike and bike trail that we had been riding our bikes on. It was an unusual morning, not yet hot, a slight breeze that actually raised a bump or two on my back.

We had ridden the entire trail down to this little man made lake a few miles from our house. We were atop a dam overlooking the lake when my six and half year old son climbed up on the railing that I was leaning on and gave me a hug and a smile. Time seemed to stand still for that instant as if my mind was taking a snap shot that would encase this memory for all eternity. With his bright little personality and those words, my life in that moment seemed just about as full as it could be.

We all, I suspect, have moments like this when something completely unexpected happens and it will be forever engrained in our minds. I find myself having those moments more and more lately as I come to appreciate the role of being a "Dad." I have spent my entire life trying to be something that I thought everyone else expected me to be. But in those instances where life pulls a fast one and kicks you in the heart, it is then you are reminded that all the money, success or other material aspects we all challenge ourselves to gain, pale in comparison to those moments like the one I had just yesterday.

My sons are just about the most amazing people that I have ever met. They bring joy to my heart when often I have to struggle to remember I have one. I spend all my waking hours trying to find a way to make their lives better so they can in turn be happy, healthy and without much care in the world. But it's moments like yesterday that remind me just how many more of those moments I have likely missed because "Daddy is too busy. Stop bothering me. Not now!"

I believe yesterday was very much a wake up call for me. It was a reminder that time is a precious gift and it isn't to be wasted. It's spending those mornings watching your son peddle his little legs off just to keep up and those smiles when he knows he is. It's those comments about fish jumping in the waters below and the comments about "gee, they must be hungry this morning." Its those precious little hugs and those soft little kisses that remind us that we are alive and for just a moment in the eyes of a child, the most important person in the world.

Yes, it is times like these that make us appreciate all that we have and what are here to offer. I appreciate the fact that it takes a Special Dad Moment to make me realize just how treasurable those moments really are and how thirsty I am to have more.

Ripple On!