I know, I know - we've all heard it before. Sometimes life just reminds us what really matters. Is it the crooked label on the outgoing box, the slightly misplaced score, or the line of type we overlooked kerning? Is it the 3 points our team lost by, the fumbled ball or the golf putt we didn't make? Nope. It is the little things that matter.
Surely those are little things, right? Not really - those are minute things that actually don't matter. Then what are the little things that matter? For me, today, it is tickling my boys with both hands and all fingers, and picking up and holding my youngest. Or giving a real hug to my wife, shaking hands with a colleague, and simply typing this post. You see, these are little things I've not been able to do for several weeks - only the last couple. Today they chop my arm open to reconnect a silly ruptured tendon, hopefully giving me full use of my hand again. Of course that means 3-12 weeks of casting and 4-16 weeks of physical therapy afterwards. I'm not whining, I'm grateful this can even be achieved. I am even more thankful that I have a staff that has and continues to cover my ass through all of this. (Of course, I'm still a better press operator than most, even with one hand tied behind my back!)
Those are the types of things that matter. Sure, clients become enraged over missed deadlines, raising prices, and the closing of their favorite Starbucks. I just have to wonder if they've ever had the gentle reminder by their kids to hug them? Surely they've been reminded by their parents - call them - let them know you're alright (hell, let them know *they're* alright). Tell your coworkers thanks. Remind your employer they matter. Yeah, you get it. Enough of my rambling. I'm off to visit the power of anesthesia and the magic of 8+ years college education in a man driven to care about the little things (bones, tendons and ligaments, that is).
Then why this post? Simple. I'm thankful to have been reminded by my son Riley last night about things that really matter. I had simply forgotten to glue the eye back on the lion he made. I just did it, Riley. It will be waiting for you when you wake up.
That is a very touching post Mr. Gillis. Really very good, a reminder of what matters in this world.
But, are you getting soft in your old age? I hope not, I've come to be very fond of the grumpy Bill - lol.
Oh and by the way, that 3 foot putt I missed was VERY important! :)
Posted by: Christian Giambruno | September 04, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Fortunately for me - older=wiser!
Posted by: William Gillis | September 04, 2008 at 12:20 PM