Lessons From a Children's Book

Last night I read a book to my kids. My wife has an affection with our public library and we get new books constantly. The book I read to my kids was entitled Hector and Hummingbird.

To give you guys a quick synopsis, Hector (a bear) is "friends" with a Hummingbird. The Hummingbird follows Hector around the jungle (yes, the jungle) and talks his ear off and is, quite frankly, annoying.

Hector decides he wants to take a nap, but Hummingbird decides continues talking and Hector basically tells him off and says he's going somewhere alone so he can have some peace and quiet. Hector storms off deeper into the jungle, but little does he know Hummingbird is following only this time Hummingbird is quiet and just observing.

Hector gets to his destination and sits down and enjoys the quiet. After a few minutes Hector comes to the conclusion that he misses his friend, Hummingbird. He likes the quiet, but misses talking to his friend. He misses the camaraderie. Soon enough, he starts saying these things aloud and Hummingbird appears. Hector says that he misses Hummingbird, but then sets some boundaries with Hummingbird when it comes to sleep.

Without boring you guys, this book wrecked me.

I don't know about you, but after a long day of work, I'm spent. The last thing I want to do is answer a billion questions. Or wrestle. Or come out of my room/office to the mass chaos that has ensued. I'm just being real. There are times where, when our family goes on a drive, the kids literally won't shut up and I want to scream.

But you know what?

Last night I read a book to my kids. My wife has an affection with our public library and we get new books constantly. The book I read to my kids was entitled

In a few years, it will be like pulling teeth to talk to me. They won't ask those questions anymore. They will want their space. They won't wake me up anymore with the excitement of a new day (now that one I might enjoy ;-)) So before I, before we, get annoyed with our kids because of the excitement and joy in their lives of being curious or their vigor for life, let's take a step back...take a deep breath...and relish the moment. Because before too long, those moments will be gone.

I don't know. Maybe I'm the only one that feels this way, but I know this...when my kids are out of the house at a summer camp or away for a sleepover at their cousins, I certainly enjoy the peace and quiet, but I miss them like crazy. You can have a balance.

Keep pressing on, Gentlemen!