My piece was published on this website earlier this week.
Guest Post: Smriti D. Isaac // @sdisaac
My husband inspires me. Not only has he been my husband of eighteen years, but he is the father of my two daughters as well. And if this isn’t already inspirational, allow me to tell you what is truly inspirational about him: the fact that he is a wonderful father to my children, and a fun Dad at that! Even after all these years, now that both our girls are high-schoolers, my husband continues to do small and silly things for his kids that truly speak volumes of his love and devotion for them. Small they might be, but insignificant, they are not!
Take for example, what he did the other day: this teddy bear has had new life– erm, new stuffing– breathed into him, thanks to her owner, our fifteen year-old secondborn– who has had many ideas over the last several weeks, but no resulting effort in re-stuffing her beloved animal. Her father, however, must have heard her wishful thinking and took upon himself this re-stuffing project today. Having made a trip to the arts-and-crafts store, he returned with soft-wool stuffing material, needle and matching-color thread, and with the most optimistic of spirits, proceeded to begin a most interesting “operation”.
Aided by a visiting friend, this was an interesting project executed by a man who is better known for wielding a hammer and an electric drill! Needless to say, this was one successful mission! In the common parlance of our popular culture, I am inspired to think: The cost of materials: $12.22. The squeal of astonishment and joy that emanated from our secondborn’s room when she found her teddy bear waiting for her with a welcome note: PRICELESS!
Or, here’s another example: it is not uncommon for my husband to help get breakfast ready for the girls on weekdays. Sometimes, it’s only a matter of putting the cereal bowls and the milk out; other times, he might put something in the toaster for them. One day, last week, he put out this plate for our firstborn: two English muffins toasted and buttered, and a half-apple cut up and arranged in the shape of a smiley face! Who does that?! It goes without saying that the awwwwwwwssss that emanated from the kitchen that morning were nothing short of awesome!
I know that I am very fortunate in witnessing these “small and silly” ways in which my husband demonstrates what it means to be a ‘fun Dad.’ To me, he is truly inspirational in how he cares for our children. I know for a fact that all these small and silly things that he does will never really be forgotten by his daughters, and that this might just very well will be one of his greatest and most lasting legacies to them.
So, I wonder if there might be someone in YOUR life who makes a positive impression on you, and offers inspiration to you? Perhaps it is a spouse, perhaps it isn’t. Perhaps it is a neighbor, a teacher, a colleague, a friend, or even someone with whom your only relationship might be one of mutual benefit, such as perhaps a mail-carrier, a hairdresser, a dentist, a manicurist, or the corner-shop grocer.
Whoever it is, if they do impact your life with the “small and silly” things that they might do for you, I think you are also very fortunate! Today, I hope that you will take a moment to think about the many people who pass through your life– some everyday, some not so very often– but because of whom you have felt just a little more special, and perhaps a little more inspired for that moment.
