Today’s the day.  Another year slips into our memories as the clock ticks forward into 2012.  As parents, nothing should be more cherished than time, for it is a resource that can never be replenished.  A moment past is just that… a moment that has moved from now to then.  A moment that can no longer be lived, but can only be remembered. Memories are wonderful, and valuable, but they are not living.  Father time is a greedy bastard.  He takes far more than he gives… if we let him.

A Momentous Task

Our children provide us with so many moments…  They grow and learn and change so fast that each and every moment we share with them is unique and special and wonderful, because there will never again be another moment exactly like it.  That first smile, word, step, trip on the school bus, trip and fall in the yard, bike ride without training wheels, finger painting, poop on the toilet, poop in the pants, class play, play date, graduation, first crush, first time crushed by love, pimples, dimples, simple questions, questions that can’t be answered, ways they make you question yourself, seeing yourself in them, them seeing themselves in you, you driving them everywhere, them learning to drive, driving you crazy, keeping you driven.    All of these moments we can only remember and never re-live.  As a father of kids who are now in their 20’s, I often reflect upon all of the moments past and passed.  How many of them was I really there for?  How many of them did I let slip by and become a memory without truly recognizing and appreciating the moment itself, at the moment?   The good news is that I did really, truly, enjoy many of the moments with my children, and still do.  The bad news is, I also let way too many moments pass without notice or recognition, and still do.

Seizing the Moments

Without formally calling it a resolution, I am going to work harder in 2012 to seize more of the moments with my children and appreciate them now, while they are happening.  Being a dad is a life’s work, and our kids bring us joy, pride and countless moments to live in together regardless of how old we and they grow.  Father Time can only take our Fatherhood moments if we let him…

How about you?  Are you ready to live in the moments of 2012?  I am going to take this moment to wish you and yours a very Happy New Year!

Jeff Sass is the proud dad of ZEO (Zach, 23, Ethan, 21 and Olivia, 20).  He is also a seasoned entertainment and technology exec and active social media enthusiast.  You can see more of Jeff’s writing at Sassholes!and Social Networking Rehab and you can listen to Jeff on the Cast of Dads  and Wunderkind! podcasts.

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