Lend Me Your Smile

Lend Me Your Smile
By Sean Cutshall

My daughter has a way of smiling, and erasing every negative thought I was so intent on focusing. It's her smile, I welcome into my life with open arms. I realize God has placed me in her life as a father, teacher, protector and provider, but there are moments in our classroom that she stands and I sit to learn.

My life is full of obstacles these days, some brought on by my stupidity; and, it's these obstacles, I some times feel overwhelmed and under-prepared to handle. It only takes a second with Keeley Rose, my daughter, to understand every obstacle can be overcome. And, if by chance, the obstacle is too big, it only takes a step or two sideways to eliminate the obstacle, and set a new direction. Yes, I know, it sounds simple, and yet, unrealistic. But, is it? Am I, as an adult, suppossed to make things so complex, I spend a lifetime trying to figure out the right answers, and never feeling completely sure I ever started with the right question or problem.

When my 6-month old daughter is hungry, she cries. When she lifts her head, and subsquently, hits my head in the process, she cries. When she has been out of view of what she wants, which is ususally her mother, and "mommy" returns, she smiles. When she is tired of being in the same place, she uses her hands, legs and buttocks to move. When she sees Nanny, Nanna or Grandpa, she smiles. When she is scared, she warrants the comfort of protection from those of us responsible to love her. Her life is about needs, and getting those needs met in the most simplest and basic ways. And, if her needs, cannot or will not be met, she simply understands, and her focus becomes elsewhere. I believe I learn from her, and if I remain open to the lessons of fatherhood, there is a bright future for us both.

I know there will be days where I stand in front teaching her, and I hope that I am able to draw on my experiences to give her strength and direction, but right now, I feel I am the one learning and being taught. I draw from her strength, her passion, her simplistic approach to life. Today, as I face the obstacles in my life, my daughter is teaching me simple rules of life. She is showing me that obstacles have a simple solution, or have no solution at all, and maybe, it's just better to focus on something else. Today, I'm sitting down, taking notes and learning from the greatest teacher I've ever had, my daughter.