Celebrating Success

Celebrating success is an important and fun part of being a good dad. Today Hannah and I went on a little date to the Secretary of State’s office to get her learner’s permit. She has studied diligently and she was ready for her written exam. There were over one hundred people waiting for service but they moved us efficiently through the lines like cattle on sale day.

A few years ago I stopped by at the Secretary of State’s office to take care of some paperwork. I pulled my number from the little red machine and sat down to wait hoping that I would get some attention before all my children married and left home. My patience was tested. I would have been willing to bet the Cubs will win the World Series before they called my number. Finally, I lost patience and left to run some errands around town. About an hour later I returned to see if the line was shorter. When I walked in the door they called a number. I reached into my pocket and pulled the number out that I had stuffed there earlier. Incredibly, it was my turn. I smiled at all the people waiting, walked to the front of the line and presented my little number for service with a big smile on my face. I still get a big smile on my face when I think about that. That’s just a happy little memory I revisit now and then.

Today Hannah passed her test. To celebrate we stopped at a restaurant and made s’mores on our table. She was happy and I was happy to be there with her to celebrate a little victory in her life. It is bed time now and before I go to sleep I will pray that God will send angels to keep her safe from harm when she drives and that today’s success will be the first of many for her.

Ken Pierpont
Brook Place
Hinsdale, Illinois
October 16, 2007