TO ME, IT'S A BIG DEAL

Having the opportunity to drive your kids to & from school may seem like an ordinary, benign activity. To me, participating in an important part of their life is an extraordinary event.

Being invited to your cousin's house for a home-cooked meal they seem nice, but not so important. To me, it's one of the most satisfying social events possible. Having the opportunity to interact with someone of similar genetic expressions is fascinating, in my opinion. Also, cousins often understand, amuse & defend you like no one else.

Today, a friend & I were chatting about the stresses of having to be away from home for extended periods of time. He works in Dubai for 2 months at a time. Being away from his three-year-old son is a difficult thing. I'm usually away from home for three weeks at a time. Being absent from my boys as they grow heaps stress on me sometimes, also. Yet, he & I realize that the combination of our intense desire to be involved fathers, plus the precious little time we do have with our children- produces its own unique, appreciated & satisfying experiences. Every word we speak & every experience we share is so much more valuable. For many of us, providing for our families requires us to be away from home for extended periods of time. (and sometimes, ends still don't meet) This is the way it's always been.