There’s nothing like the first fire outdoors each year. It commemorates the end of a long and bitter cold winter, saying goodbye to the months of staying indoors, and welcoming the long awaited Spring and Summer season. It says hello to good music, s’mores, and great company gathered around a campfire.
My family enjoyed our first outdoor fire of 2022, tonight. This year was a little different than in years past. Our twins just turned a year old so our routine from previous years is a bit different. My wife went into our twin’s nursery to feed them as I got the fire going and the music started. It was the perfect night for a fire; hardly any mosquitoes and it hasn’t reached the point where it’s so hot you can’t enjoy a fire. No sooner did my wife come out and sit down beside me to begin a relaxing evening, our son could be heard across the baby monitor.
As he sat with me watching the fire, it made me realize something. Not that I didn’t know it, but it was just a little reminder of something so true and certain. These moments aren’t going to last forever. These moments of sitting on my lap and enjoying something so simple will pass by so quickly. Life goes by quickly. It’s a vapor and if we don’t stop and recognize these simple moments for what they are, and notice the value in them, I believe we truly miss out.
As a Dad of twins, I would be lying to you if I told you I don’t get frustrated with them. I guess that’s normal with one child, let alone two. But there was something so innocent and special about those ten minutes him and I shared next to the fire this evening. Before I know it, moments like those will be gone. He will grow older and I’ll long for just five minutes to be with him. I will grow older.
While this is a rather simple post and not as long as those I’ve recently written, I feel it’s a necessary one. Don’t neglect or brush off those simple little moments you get to spend with your loved ones; whether it be friends sitting around a fire, or holding your child because they just wanted a few extra moments by your side. They are precious. While I admit that I was frustrated at first because I wanted some time alone with my wife, I ended up being thankful he wasn’t ready for bed.
Those extra minutes can teach you something.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and any others. If you liked this post, will you do me a favor by commenting below and letting me know your thoughts? Perhaps you’d be willing to share it with a friend or on your social media. I appreciate the support!
Press On 