Dad's A-Z: I is for Inconceivable!

A day on the beach with Lukas is priceless

Sometimes a dash of perspective goes a long way.

Just the other day, I was feeling put off about something.  I must have been pretty insignificant, since I no longer have any idea what it was.  Honestly, I think it was just one of those long work days where things don't quite go your way.  Anyway, as I was in the midst of feeling crummy, Mrs. LIAYF called to check in on a long time friend in another state who has been having a rough time lately.

Her friend is a single mother of three, including twins who are about to turn one year old.  And she has no family close by to support her.  The twins have been sick a lot lately, and her older daughter also severely broke her nose recently. All this has resulted in her having to take off a lot of work lately.  She is naturally exhausted, and nearly out of sick days.

But you want to hear the worst part?  Trust me, you do.  Well this dedicated mother, our good friend,  has been off work so much dealing with her sick and injured offspring that she wasn't there to partake in a certain office activity.  One where her co-workers, the people she interacts with on a regular basis, gathered together to pool their resources and....buy some Lottery Tickets.  Do you know where I am going with this yet?  Yes, it's true.

Her co-workers won the lottery.

It will be a $1.6 Million payday for each of her group of co-workers.  The ones without the sick twins. Ouch! How awful would that be to have happen to you?  Suddenly, my troubles didn't seem so significant anymore.  Funny how that works, isn't it?

Thankfully, our friend is keeping a positive perspective on the whole situation.  She is a great mother and a super friend to Mrs. LIAYF,  so we really feel bad for her.  Then again, as cliche as it sounds, with all the time she is dedicating to her beautiful children she will be rewarded with wealth beyond imagination.

If I had to give up the opportunity to win a million dollars, or five million, or even one hundred million dollars to be with Lukas when he really needed me I would do it in a heartbeat.   No questions asked.  Of course, if I could do both I undoubtedly would,  but the point is that I wouldn't have to think about it.  It would be inconceivable to me not to.

This surprises me.  Scratch that, that would surprise the me of five years ago, but not the me of today.  Being a dad is that valuable to me.

In the moment, while tired and stressed and dealing with sick babies that line of reasoning may be of little consolation to her. But it is real, and with time the memory of finding out her co-workers had won the lottery without her may fade, but the memories of spending time with her family will definitely not.  Take it from someone who has already hit the jackpot.

And on another bright side, if any of those winners did decide to return to work,  who do you think might receive some pretty wonderful birthday gifts?