It's the Little Things....

Spending every day and night in pain is not a pleasant thing, nor is it easy to do. You make adjustments, and move forward. Retirement by disability has allowed me the time to reflect on many things; using family research as pain management has allowed me to realize that it is always the little things that matter.

I knew long before I became a father, that I would never be the father my dad was, and is. He set the bar at heights I could only hope to come close to. Upon reflection, it was always the little things that mattered the most, and he and mom made those happen.

I did a fair job with my kids, they are all adults I can be proud of, but I can’t help but think about some of the little things I might have done better. No regrets, I did the best I could knowing I would never equal my mentor.

Enter the grandchildren. Kael, now 6, and his mother Nicole have lived with my wife and I since he was 6 months old. Kael is Autistic; specifically he has Asperger’s Syndrome. Highly intelligent, socially awkward; most of his days are pre-planned by him, and breaking that schedule can create havoc.

Kael’s cousin Hadley is Jesse’s 2 ½ year old daughter. She is also very intelligent for her age, and loves spending time with Kael.

When Hadley last visited, she went to Kael’s toy box, picked out a book, and took it over to Kael. She asked him to read it to her. He dropped everything and sat down next to her and began to read her the book. Nobody else on the planet could get Kael’s attention that quickly. She had picked a doozy. The top paragraph on each page was to be read, the bottom paragraph was to be sung. Kael read and sang the entire book, much to Hadley’s delight, and mine.

It’s the little things….

Kael graduates kindergarten this morning. He is at the top of his class. In fairness, I don't think there was much new to him in kindergarten. He had a very good year, but towards the end, during review, boredom led to some behavioral problems. I made him a deal; 10 good days at school and the year would be over. Give me 10 good days and I'll have a big surprise for you. He stuck to our deal and brought home awards in reading and math to boot. So tonight, he got his surprise early; a new android tablet. He was very pleased and excited. And then it happened….

I received a spontaneous bear hug and he said “You're the best grandpa anyone could ever have.”

It’s the little things….