Firsts - Lasts

One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in a tree. "Which road do I take?" she asked. "Where do you want to go?" was his response. "I don't know," Alice answered. "Then," said the cat, "it doesn't matter, does it?” 
– Lewis Caroll

 

When I was a young dad, I focused on firsts.  I wanted to see my daughter’s first steps, first tooth, her first dance, etc.

 

Now as an older dad, my focus has changed, especially as a dad with ALS.  No longer concerned with firsts, I wonder the events that I enjoy are lasts? 

 

Was the book I read with my 12 year old the last time we read together?  That photo was Christmas 2011, was it my last one?  How about Thanksgiving (yesterday), was it the last with my family?  


I am not getting morbid, simply changing focus from, “This is JUST another gathering with the family,” to “This is a precious gift to be able to see everyone as this may not happen again!”

By paying attention to the preciousness of the things we cherish, we forget about the trivial.  We wake up and truly enjoy every moment!  It becomes easy to overlook things that would bother me and soak in the joy that was all around me.  I know for me, I have never enjoyed Thanksgiving this much! 

What you focus on is our choice.  All I can say is choose wisely.  It will change the road you take, and that does matter!

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