Although I am sure I am far from the first person to come to this conclusion, I was recently reminded that the true joys of life aren’t found in grand, epic events like they are in the movies, but instead in the small, quiet moments.

Nothing drives this idea home more than parenthood.

When you’re expecting a child all your friends and relatives will tell you that “everything is going to change and that your life will never be the same.” I remember calmly and coolly looking at them saying, “Yeah, I know and I’m ready.”

I didn’t. And I wasn’t.

But I also wouldn’t trade it for the world.

My wife and I have been blessed with two beautiful daughters who are now almost 7 and 4 1/2. Every day is an adventure. Every new experience is a grand journey of discovery — for us and for them.

Things like a trip to the grocery store or drive through the car wash often generate ear-splitting excitement. Activities that were magical when I was a child — like Saturday morning cartoons and going through sales catalogs to make that wish list for Santa — are special once again.

Even when times aren’t the best, like earlier this week when my 4-year-old was sick with a sinus infection, it is still the little moments that stand out. For days we had tried to get her to blow her nose, let us use nasal spray or any number of things that would have helped alleviate her discomfort.

All to no avail.

Faced with a trip to the doctor and the threat of a shot, she broke down on Tuesday. She not only did those things, but then decided she wanted to make a video to show other kids how it really wasn’t that bad after all.

I am not sure she will be the next YouTube sensation but, in my completely biased opinion, it is pretty darn cute.

The old cliché is that we shouldn’t forget to “stop and smell the roses.” We also shouldn’t forget to really look at them, to touch them, to share them with others and even to be thankful for them.

Having kids — and answering the litany of “whys” that come with every discovery — helps make sure the proverbial roses are fully experienced in every facet.

I know some people choose a life without children, and I don’t begrudge or judge them one bit.

For me, life is more complete than it ever was before because of this big change that helps make the little things more important.

 

Michael Caldwell is the publisher of Leader Publications LLC. He can be reached at (269) 687-7700 or by email at mike.caldwell@leaderpub.com.