We had a break through at my house this weekend. My son, Anthony, who is 5, figured out he could swim. We attended a birthday party for his friend, Cole at the local Rec Center's swimming pool. The pool is full of fountains and slides (along with a bunch of kids and their accompanying adults), and is also shallow enough for him to be able to walk around. Normally he wears a floaty suit in the pool, but because it was so shallow we took it off him. Next thing, my wife and I see is him with his head underwater looking like he is thrashing about....only to realize he is doing it on purpose. He was attempting to kick and move his arms. We were amazed. He finally progressed to laying out his body and his swimming became more evident. It was great! It made me realize sometimes, you just have to step out of the box and try things that may or may not be the norm. Amazing things can happen by allowing ourselves a bit of freedom. Perhaps he will now go on to be a world class swimmer....then again, we are just happy he was so proud of his accomplishment. You would have thought he won a gold medal.

We never know what will happen in the future and that is why these events are so wonderfully precious. We learned last Friday, another boy from our kids’ preschool passed away. He was only five and in another class. I can’t imagine the pain that the family must be enduring at this time. We have to count our blessings and live each day to the fullest as we never know when our time or a loved one’s time is up. His death was accidental, but still it was the end of his life. I hope I never have to go through the pain of my child’s death. That is a something I would not wish on even my worst enemy.

It is moments like these that make me realize life is forever changing. From accomplishments (no matter the size) to the death of someone important, memories are what last a life time. From their first breaths of life to their first steps and first words to graduations and beyond, we have to cherish these momentous events of our children and ourselves. Count your blessings. Bring on the day and make it the best it can be!