September 20, 2022
But the years are short. As of this morning I have a one-year-old son. How is that even possible? Seems like yesterday we were packing an overnight bag enroute to the hospital.
Reflecting on the last three hundred and sixty-five days, I vaguely remember many a long day and sleepless nights, though none stick out to me individually. In looking back, I’ve assembled a list of some of the things I learned over the past year:
- Changing diapers, while tedious, isn’t as bad as my pre-parenthood brain told myself it would be
- Labor/Delivery/Post-partum nurses are on-earth angels
- Sleep is not overrated
- Babies are easier to care for while immobile. Watching football (or anything on TV) on Sundays is much more complicated when your child is learning to crawl and/or walk. Good thing my team (the Bears) stink.
- Having family nearby is crucial
- Volatility is normal
- Exercise is vital
- In person meetings and experiences are way more meaningful than those conducted virtually
- Daycare is an adventure; we never know what illness is headed our way at the end of any given day
- COVID isn’t that much fun
- In a similar vein, hand foot and mouth disease should be avoided, if at all possible
- Daycare is almost definitely the highest value service we pay for on a recurring basis
- Inflation isn’t good
- Facetime helps long-distance family feel closer
- Hunting for baby formula is overrated
- Personal time and space are valuable
- Salads aren’t so bad
- Minivans are cool (or at least cooler than they used to be), assuming you can find one in inventory to buy or lease
- Things have a way of generally working out
- Having a partner willing and able to share in the good times and bad times is paramount—I would be lost without mine
Most importantly, I’ve re-discovered that time is our most scarce resource. Maybe parenthood is giving me a glimpse into my own mortality or maybe I’m just getting older? I hope I have many birthdays left, but who knows.
Markets are down, interest rates are up and there’s a war raging on a different continent. Things are far from perfect but think about it this way…How many really good years do you have left? Summers fishing or on the links or trails? Weekends at the cabin? Winters on the slopes? Holidays with family or friends?
Call your family. Turn off the news. Take the risk. Go to the show. Share your feelings. Get outside. Take the trip. Order dessert. Enjoy the ride. Whatever you do, spend the time, I promise you won’t regret it.
Thank you for reading, I look forward to seeing you in person at the All Season Financial Advisors Annual Meeting on October 5th at the Wellshire!
Will
