Publishing a book is just the beginning. Sharing it with the world is the next endeavor. This book has now become my livelihood and it is more than just a “hobby” to get it out into the world. It is so easy to get all-consumed in everything that you could and should be doing to promote your book.

Then, I take Oliver upstairs to get him changed after he spilled some juice on himself. Getting his clothes changed was just about the funnest thing he did all day. He was so happy. I looked at him and thought, “Oliver doesn’t care how much money I make. Oliver cares that I am spending this time with him and sharing this moment with him.”

Our kids really don’t care about the same stuff we care about. Our kids care about the stuff that is far more important. They care about the love we show them, the love we give them. They care that we share our time with them. They care that we show them that we want to spend time with them, that we like being with them.

Whether my book ever makes the New York Times best seller list or not is really quite irrelevant to my children. Whether or not I give them all of the love and affection they deserve is.

I need to remember that. Now more than ever.