Ask the question, see what answers you get. Money issues always rates top, next family, work, and then the answers are varied. What if you ask a two year old? (Mine said puppies, toys, going to see Bubba (favorite uncle), Anna, (a next store neighbor) You see their perspective is quite different. How about a teen? (I have three awesome boys, two are teens) Yes, different even still, girls, muscles, time off of school, money, food.What do I consider important? God, family, work. But even that changes depending on the day. Last week my wife and I took my two year old daughter to Disney. When things go well, seems there is not a care in the world. When something bad happens, nothing else matters. When my two year old slipped and went under water (I was very close by) my heart stopped, I grabbed her and got her up out of the water in a split second. She coughed, but was ok. What do you think went through my mind? She was the most important thing in the world to me. I hugged her tight and you can bet the water was a little saltier from my tears that day.

My daughter saw new things, experienced new things, smells, tastes and sounds. I noticed in many pictures it seemed she wasn’t smiling, but she was taking it all in, and when she wasn’t laughing, she was struck with awe. I asked her several times after the trip what she liked the most about Disney, I was surprised, meeting Mickey and Mini Mouse rated top. We don’t watch much TV, although we do read Disney books to her often, I guessed I was a little surprised that meeting the characters stood out. Riding on the Dumbo ride was her response once. Recently, I’ve noticed she has been asking to read stories about Flick, a character in the Bugs Life. I’m sure it’s because she met (the character) Flick in person. What stands out about that is before we went, she was bitten by several ants in our yard, and when we told her that Flick was an ant, at first she wouldn’t get near him. After a little coaxing explaining he didn’t bite, she gave him five and we got a couple of pictures. And I appreciate Flick apologizing to her from the whole ant population. Pictures at http://www.middleton-howington.com/Photos.aspx?AlbumID=6

When I spend time with my boys little else matters. They don’t live with me, so I greatly cherish the time with them. My oldest has a drumming video that showed up on a Google rating higher than my sites (http://www.theslapstik.com/videos/Charles-Corcoran.html) today, of course I’m proud. My middle son is focused on IT in High School, winning awards for most improved student, hard to be more proud of him, and that he has direction. And my youngest son is simply known as the wiz, with a wit I wouldn’t dare contend with, again, it makes me sing inside with pride. All three of my boys are very sharp and I love them with all my heart.

As I think about what’s important to me, showing my children there is a purpose in life and an internal need for dedication to a lifelong goal. And in whatever direction they choose, be the best they can be at it, I’m behind you 100%. Again, what’s important is dependent on the day, and right now, mowing the lawn is way up there. Who you were will be measured by the impact you have made today. Now, I’m off to impress the neighbors.