The Little Things

The past couple of weeks have offered me intense moments of personal reflection.  Not sure why, but I welcome the opportunity and have allowed my mind to wander, reaching down into territories of the philosophical and metaphysical.  

Deep, huh?

Truthfully, though, it's the little things that take my breath away.  Perhaps I am too hard on myself, but it's my nature.  I have very high expectations of myself as a father, a husband, a son, a brother, an uncle, and a friend.  Each day holds new adventures, and along with those adventures, moments of exhilarating success and moments of disappointing failures.

But, like I said, it's the little things that take my breath away.  The little things are found in the chocolate ice-cream silly smile that tells me that my daughter enjoyed our "date" together.  Or, they hide in the the calm morning coos of my son that let's me know the day has begun.  They are always and forever in the soft, sweet confidence in my wife's voice telling me that she is proud of me and that I am a good person, and reminding me that I am loved.  The little things are in the daily calls to my mom that remind me of my roots, and in the daily laughter and deep conversation that I share with my brother that lifts my spirit.  The little things are a quick text message that I get from my younger sister that makes me feel cool and hip, and the kind and loving words of my father and stepmother that encourage me to move forward and tell me that they are proud.  The little things are the friends that I see regularly, or those that I talk to less often (but know they are always there), that inspire me.

So, do I want a bigger house?  Sure.  A better paying job?  Of course.  Less stress?  Definitely.  But if I had to trade in any of the little things, I would never even consider the option.

The little things take my breath away, and nothing else can ever do that.