The epiphany came when I was looking around at the other patrons in the 'restaurant'. There was a table of about 8 girls around the age of 10 with one mom who was obviously taking out her daughter and friends for a celebration of some kind. I watched her exasperated at trying to quiet the girls down, organize the food and drinks so everyone was happy and heard the voice in her head...'when is this night going to be over?’.

Then there was another family that came in with what looked like 4 generations. The great-grandmother in a wheel chair with the grandmother pushing her trying to edge her way to the hostess desk, the mother holding a ridiculously large diaper bag while pushing a stroller within the confines of a pizza place. As the grandmother said, 'we need a table for 5 including a high chair and a spot for a wheel chair' is when I came to my realization.

Regardless of what stage we're in, regardless of how old our children are, regardless of how difficult the days might seem to be, each and every stage of our harried days bring tests, challenges and the hope for more relaxing days ahead. If we can somehow remind ourselves during each and every day to take in the beauty of it all and enjoy the stage we are in at least some of the time, we all could find that feeling that we are always striving for…happiness.