Editor's Note: These week were are running a series of post with the theme Lessons Learned. The various writers will be sharing knowledge they have learned from the interactions and situations. Our hope is to pass along some of the wisdom we've gained to others.

by Thomas Hobson
Child Life Director

Where does the time go? Seriously, just look at the pirture, to the right, of me during my early days at Le Bonheur. 

Recently, I celebrated the 9th anniversary of my hire at Le Bonheur, which was preceded by both the hospital’s 59th birthday and my 9th anniversary. (Oddly, those last two are on the same date…) Needless to say, I’ve spent some time reflecting on my time and Le Bonheur and everything that I have learned from our patients. Which isn’t necessarily surprising, since children teach us as much as we teach them.

So, in the spirit of passing along knowledge, I want to share some of the things I’ve learned:

• Kids can bounce back from anything: If there is one thing that I have continually been awed by children who have the amazing ability to overcome even the worst ordeals. I can’t even begin to list all of the various illness, injuries, and other circumstances that I have seen children enter the doors of Le Bonheur. In the same breath, I can list the number of times that I have seen children bounce back from these same situations with a grace and spirit that I wish I had.
  
• The only thing that’s constant is change: Over the past nine years, I have seen my share of infants come through the hospital; growing the whole time. If you look at a newborn baby and compare them to their one-year-old self, you’ll see major changes. In the same respect, Le Bonheur has grown and changed during the entire time I’ve been here. Just like the growth and change of a child, the growth and change of Le Bonheur has been a good thing. This is true for both my and your life; it is constantly changing. Our job is to be flexible and adapt to our new environment; just like that infant.
  
• There’s always time for play: There are times that play may seem like the farthest thing from anyone’s mind. Situations are dire, stress levels are high, and there are numerous decisions that have to be made. However, play still remains and important element for children. I have watched first hand as a little play has lightened a family’s mood, brought them closer together, and remind them of what’s important. I try to remember to play, joke, or whatever other form it might take. And just like the families, it helps to ground me to what’s important.
  
• Enjoy the current “stage”, it’ll be gone soon enough: If you’ve ever worked with children, you know about the different stages that are talked about. The terrible twos and potty training phases are some. As a parent, it’s easy to wish those stages away, but they end too soon. How many parents’ have looked back thinking, “I’d love to have them back like that again”? The same is true for life. Don’t just wait around wishing your current time away; it’ll be gone soon enough. Instead, whether it is your child or your life, enjoy the moment for what it is. Remember, it was stay like this forever.