This moment is from a few days ago. I had worked an 11-hour shift at the hospital. It wasn’t too crazy, but definitely a tiring day, both mentally and physically. The easiest thing to do was to go home, eat something quickly, and then crash out on the bed. However, I’d been aching to do something with the family, as my wife and I had been working a lot and often did not see each other much during the day.

On this particular evening, my wife was home and our son was still full of energy. We decided to try a new Japanese spot in town. As always, I got my sushi rolls. My wife also ordered some type of mango sushi roll, and we ordered some edamame as an appetizer. For our son, we ordered noodles, and he gobbled them up. They were quite tasty for him, which we were ecstatic about. My wife and I love it when he eats well, especially when it’s something new.

There is something that occurred on this night that made us smile. The restaurant staff brought our son some chopsticks with some type of device that connected the two, making it easier for him to use. To our surprise, he tried to use them and actually did a decent job. He must have seen us do it a time or two and picked it up from that. Perhaps it is his Asian blood that makes it natural for him. Lol. Whatever the case, it was great to see. He still struggled, which is expected, but he kept picking them up and trying, and that’s the most important part.

Perhaps in a couple of years, he will be using those chopsticks better than anyone. A father can only hope. I’m so glad we chose to go out and have a family night, when it would have been just as easy to stay home and veg out. This night was not some sort of monumental event, but it was still a memorable family night. As a father, you won’t always be energized and ready to be Superdad. However, that is not what is needed. You simply need to make your children and family a priority in your life and take time for these special moments, regardless of how small or insignificant. Years from now, you may find that the smallest moments were the most important and memorable ones.