One day I was putting together a cabinet in my office.  It wasn’t going well and I was becoming more and more frustrated.  One piece would not fit the proper way.  I kept trying to fit the piece, but no matter how many times I tried, it did not fit.  Then, I turned the piece in a different direction and suddenly the piece fit.  So, in order for me to solve the problem, I had to let go of the way I thought the piece should fit.  When I did this, I solved the problem. 

This experience led to the next.  While assembling the hardware for the drawers to be put in place I asked myself, “What if I were blind?”  I decided to attempt to assemble the drawer with my eyes closed.  What an “eye opening” experience.  Sometimes we have to close our eyes so that we can see.  I realized that without the use of my eyes, I must rely on touch.  I realized how important it was for me to place everything within arms reach.  I realized how much I relied on touch to feel where the pieces should go.  I felt such appreciation for my sense of touch, much more than ever before.  I also appreciated my sight more than ever.
 
As a parent, it is so important to “close your eyes” for a while each and every day.  We have so much to be thankful for, especially our children.  Appreciate all that you have and experience joy.  Rumi wrote, “I once complained that I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet.”  Words of wisdom to remember to appreciate all that we have been blessed with.