When my first son was born I had to fight for custody of him.  I was put through some of the most painful emotional stress a person could stand.  The emotional pain was immense.  I taught me something.  It showed me something that most parents never understand, and take for granted...

Every parent should fight for their child and they would appreciate them more.   As a parent you come to learn that every moment, the small ones especially have meaning.  They have profound meaning. Some of us may remember a profound line voiced by Keanu Reaves in movie Parenthood:

"They make you take a test for a driver's licence, but any butt-reaming asshole can be a father."

As a father that had to fight to be a father... the sentiment of the line above sticks with me.  Anyone can be a parent, but how many of us deserve our children?

When my boys brush their teeth and stand next to each other, I sometimes step outside myself and smile.  Call me silly but I've even take photos of these simple moments as one day they will be grown men.  I will have these memories.  And I wouldn't have these memories if I didn't appreciate these times we have together. 

It's not enough to love your kids because they are yours.  Appreciate them and the love will be greater.  Appreciate them and you will know the true sense of family and your family will become closer.   My boys and I are amazingly close.  In the past year we've become closer than I could imagine.  My youngest son wants to protect me with a vengeance.  My oldest son often remarks and laughs about something his younger brother has done, similar to the way I feel.  You grin and smile and you cherish the moment.  We have special times that for most other people ...are not special, but for us simple moments like a night we call "movie night" are special.  We discuss what we are watching... we plan our snacks... Who gets to sit where becomes important... It's all so simple and so important.  We do things that are average to most people, but to us the event takes on a stronger meaning. 

There is not greater gift than family.  There is no greater gift than the time you have with your family.  

This is my gift to you today.  I hope you do something with it.  Go appreciate your brother, sister, mother or father.   The fact they even talk to you is a precious thing.  Some of us can't even talk to the ones we love.  Some of us can't be with the people we care for.  So remember to appreciate your gift of family.