Forged in Fire

Myself, along with three of my closest friends, are all in the depths of early parenthood. Just a few years removed from versions of ourselves far less prepared for all that accompanies being a strong spouse and father, we stand face to face with this massive world of unknowns.

From young dumb college kids to providing for a family in what seems like the blink of an eye. 

I spend a lot of time thinking about this transition, and its many counterparts. The highs and the lows. The major wins and the mistakes made along the way, of which there are many. This has become especially so within recent months, as my daughter is now closer to two years old than she is one, and each of the formerly mentioned friends have younger babies. I’m watching them go through all of the things that seem so familiar – the sleepless nights, the cries that seem as though they’ll never end, the frequent check-ups, on and on it goes. 

Acting as a spectator in all of this has re-shaped, in the best way possible, how I view these hectic moments of early parenthood. It has developed within me this incredible growth of gratitude and stillness. In other words, it has helped me to understand the fleeting nature of time – more specifically, time with our young children.

It’s no secret, that time is something we can’t ever get back. Each second, minute and hour that goes by is now gone forever. For a long time, this struck a chord with me, and frightened me more than I’m proud to admit. This, of course, was the case until just recently. Thanks in large part to my experiences with my first born, and a front row seat in watching my best buddies traverse the choppy waters of becoming a dad. 

All of this offers so much perspective – for me, and for you, if you actively seek it. A level of perspective that, like just mentioned, can be scary, but it can also be beautiful. Beautiful in every way, as it opens your eyes to the vitality of living in the moment. Soaking it up. Reveling in the wonderful times that will someday become memories.

Here’s the truth – a real gut-check, and a necessary one that all of us as current or future parents need to hear:

Some day, the dirty diapers will come to an end.

Some day, the temper tantrums will subside.

Some day, your messy house will be clean.

Some day, the noise will turn to quiet.

Some day, the mayhem will be gone.

All of this, that you’re currently living through … the things that get you worked up and maybe stressed out – will someday be in the rear view. 

And you know what? You’ll miss it all. 

Reflecting back on it all, you’ll long for it all over again. 

These moments, filled with hectic schedules and uncertainty galore, are the greatest we will ever experience. The best times of our lives.

So, why not live them to the absolute fullest? 

After all, we’ll never get them back.

Forge on.

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