Andrea typically puts Jadyn to bed, but tonight I ended up doing it as Andrea has a friend from Denver in town. With all the chaos surrounding the last week or so, it has been hard to get back in a routine. Jadyn is no different and has a real hard time settling down so I ended up laying down with her while she screams, “I want mommy.” In an effort to calm her down, I reached around her, pulled her in close to my chest, and held her hand. She instantly squeezed my hand and slowly drifted to sleep.

While I was laying there, sweating like crazy as the heat radiated from her body, I began to think how much we all need to connect. Whether it be the workplace, academic setting, church or home, we all have a desire to connect with those around us.

I can easily remember key “connections” in my life. Some are simple, like connecting with players on a traveling soccer team over the course of 4 years. Some are obvious, like connecting with my now wife. Some are old, like my Dad playing catch with me in my back yard. Some are recent, like my office rallying behind me in a time of need. Some are brief, like the McDonald’s window lady looking me in the eye, smiling and saying “have a nice day” in a tone that suggests she actually means it. Some are long, like my small group of 8 goofy middle school kids that are now young men in college. Some are physical, like the first time I held my kids. Some are not, like the many new friends I’ve developed through blogging.

However, whenever, wherever these connections happen, something happens inside of us. We all of a sudden feel good about whatever situation we are in. We feel like we should feel - part of something.

Funny how children can help us see the most simple complexities of the world, isn’t it?