I had a great day yesterday with the family. It was Parker’s birthday and we got him a bunch of emergency preparedness and camping gear, and grandpa O helped him go shopping with me to pick out some more using his birthday money. He seemed really happy and excited to have all of the gear. I realized that trying to help him be happy on his birthday was more important than the gift I had picked out (which was originally a telescope but he didn’t like it so we took it back and tried again with the emergency preparedness gear). I think sometimes in the past I would think that the point of the birthday is for someone to have been able to get the gift that brings joy. But I realized this week it’s about the joy.
We also went to the beach and let the kids dig in the sand while Sarah and mom O and I just sat and watched them. I read a book. I enjoyed being outside and relaxing. I think I’ve been doing a better job at taking time to read a non-work book regularly so I can have time to separate myself from the stresses of work.