Making the Most of Every Moment

animated photo by David Trotter

In my old life, I rarely stopped to smell the roses or even think about tending to them. My new life is much different. Although meds can help slow my brain down below the red zone, I still have to make intentional decision to make the most of every moment. I have to concentrate on remaining present and enjoying whatever is happening around me.

Today is the last day of ‘summer break’ for my kids, and my wife is dialing in her classroom since she is a kindergarten teacher. I had the privilege of accompanying my daughter to her new middle school in order to get her locker and walk through her new schedule.

Two and a half years ago when I left my wife (and kids) for another woman, I wasn’t thinking about today.

I wasn’t thinking about the fact that my kids would have probably experienced today with someone other than me. I wasn’t thinking about all the ‘moments’ that I would be missing.  I wasn’t thinking about the teeth that would be lost, the knees that would be skinned, or the feelings that would be hurt. I wasn’t thinking about tucking them in to bed at night or waking up to their groggy faces. I wasn’t thinking about impromptu conversations or special moments when nothing is really planned.

Thankfully, my choice to leave didn’t exactly work out. Through the pain of a ‘crash and burn,’ I learned to enjoy the moment and love what I have rather than what someone else has.

So…on this last day, I squeezed in the work and phone calls that I needed to get done today for my clients. More importantly, I took Waverly to middle school, enjoyed lunch with both my kids, and had fun on the slip-n-slide. Tonight, my amazing wife and I will prepare the kids mentally, spiritually, and physically for their first day tomorrow…and I’ll enjoy every moment (remembering that I could be living in an apartment all alone).

More slip-n-slide photos: HERE