There’s nothing like the joy of the simple things

I have found over the years there truly is nothing like experiencing the joy of a child, and their honest, unabridged emotions at the precise moment they are overwhelmed with happiness.

Maybe the joy derives from the newest toy, a trip to a special place, or obtaining the latest trend-worthy hairdo.

Regardless, the inner fluttering which results is classic and worth much more than any amount of money. I have been blessed to witness it on several occasions.

My first experience watching pure joy took me by surprise. My daughter Natalie and I spent much of her youth doing whatever we could to find happiness, despite the fact that financially we were strapped.

Although unable to provide some of the nicer things in life, I truly never really recognized the fact that we were not exactly poor by the world’s eyes, but definitely unable to do more than put food on the table at times.

We struggled through each day but always found a way to find happiness in a pure form of father-daughter love. Finding adventures to stimulate the mind, such as photographic adventures, hiking through the Colorado mountains, and singing along with the latest top 10 radio artist, became our norm.

As a single parent at the time, there were many things that, although I wanted to provide to my child, were simply unobtainable. This bothered me, but as the majority of us know, we simply make the best of it and carry on, attempting to mask our inward feelings of inadequacy.

When Natalie was approximately 11 or 12 years old, she decided she wanted to take part in the latest fashion trend. She did her research, spoke to her mother, and decided her long, straight brown hair needed an upgrade — a perm.

Following a short time of saving the funds necessary, she and I embarked upon this latest adventure. After making the 40-mile journey to our salon of choice, I entered the doorway of the one area most men avoid… the dreaded hair salon.

Luckily, it was early in the day, so the peering eyes from the ladies, adorned in tin foil-covered locks, gowns, and other things a man really shouldn’t experience were minimal. As I found my seat, in my mind inwardly praying I survived this adventure, I reclined in what could only be described as the “scared man observer” chair.

With air seeming in short supply, watering eyes from the chemicals, and concern for my personal safety because of the one lady who kept wanting me to sit in this huge pink chair and allow her access to my feet, to do whatever happens to one’s feet in one of those place’s, the words came I had been waiting for.

We were done. Natalie received her new perm and I was finally able to escape.

Quickly, we paid for this latest adventure and rapidly exited the door. I will add, I’m relatively certain that as we exited, I saw the tin foil lady shake her head in agreement with her head slightly tilted upward in an evident manner to say, that’s right you better run.

Making it safely to our vehicle I remember looking over at Natalie, asking her if she liked the final result. As I turned, I observed she was shaking, uncontrollably, with the largest smile affixed to her face I had seen to date. She simply couldn’t contain her joy and it burst out in her uncontrollable laughter.

Instantaneously, my heart leaped as she stated “I love it” and I realized that the struggle from the past hour and a half or so was worth it and bringing this type of joy to my child was from there on out was my only goal in life.

Thinking back, I learned that precious memories can be made regardless of your situation. Many times, we affix joy and happiness to monetary things. In all reality, it is the things we obtain and the things we do that cost the least, which many times reap the greatest rewards.

I’ve found the value obtained from taking part in the simpler things is priceless.

Struggling is a part of life, as is finding a way around the struggles.

For it is when we place less emphasis on materials and more on the person or adventure that we truly are in a position to provide that much sought-after gift, and receiving it means so much more.

Richard J. Stephens lives in Carter County and is the father of three little ladies ranging in age from eight to 29. His experiences being a single parent, co-parent, and leader, provide a unique perspective to a wide array of issues families face in our modern times. Fulfilling roles as a youth director, elected mayor, educator, county sheriff and business owner adds to his experiences and bolsters his light-hearted approach to life. Tales from the Dad Side is a journey depicted through one man’s experiences penned through written stories and tales which modern families can relate to as they traverse this life.