If you are fortunate to walk this earth for long enough, you gain experience. With that experience, hopefully you also gain a positive perspective and knowledge.

Last night I had dinner with some old friends.  I took a few moments to slip outside and have a post-meal smoke, and made my usual observations of the surroundings.  As I looked adjacent to the restaurant parking lot, I noticed a small working class suburb.  A young father was walking with his children who were on their bikes.  The five year old son, with his blue helmet yelling “dad, dad, dad”, and his six year old daughter with her pink streamers happily chirping and singing as they slowly traveled down the road.  I thought to myself, I wonder if he knows?  I wonder if he has the depth of knowledge to understand he will remember this simple day and how it will someday warm his heart?  Or is he like most young dads: worried about the mounting bills, his difficult career choices or maybe even thinking about the troubles of his immature marriage?  If I could give you a gift young man, the only gift I have to give, is to let you know you want to pay attention to those childish chirps and songs, they will be gone shortly.

Then I looked to my right.  In the parking lot, five young boys about 11 years old, played tag in their red little league uniforms.  One of their dads was close by, chatting with his friends, casually watching over the boys to make sure they were safe, while also wearing the same red team shirt.  I wonder?  Does he know today, that finding one of those little baseball mitts in his garage will make him smile in five years?

Finally I observed my own reflection in one of the windows.  I looked at myself and said: “Mike, pay attention to today.  You never know why or when, but someday you will look at this day, and realize it was special.”

Please take a few seconds today to realize why it is special my friends.  You will thank me later.

Logan