Fatherhood - two years in...

Before our wedding, everyone told me of how things were going to change and how I needed to be prepared for this, that, and the other.  Given the obstacles I've moved past, I would smile and nod, thinking that the advice applied to everyone else but me.  Of course, they were right...marriage is a great thing, but one has to put a lot of effort into it to make sure all is well.  For me, the daily mantra has changed to "happy wife, happy life." 

I'm consistantly amazed at how one's perspective adjusts once you're in a new situation.  Just as marriage has puts certain things in a new light, fatherhood has as well.  Amanda and I are two years into this parenting adventure, and I cannot help but see my patient's issues in a new light.  On subjects such as weight management and oral home care, it's hard to urge folks along certain paths when the prospects of doing so with all I have going on seem so daunting.  If I had to radically re-think how I fed our animals at home tonight, I might just laugh myself silly.

I've been thinking quite a bit about a recent article I read.  The message was that humans have always looked at the countless stars in the night sky and not worried about the vast complexity before them.  If we can handle that, then why shouldn't we be prepared to navigate thru what seems like an increasingly complicated life.  Ultimately, we all have the capability to take on these challenges, but I think we have to cut ourselves some slack when there is only so much time in the day.