This is the day you wake up and make waffles or go to church or flip on the television. This is the day you kiss your wife or husband good morning and ask your kids if all that homework assigned before Christmas break is done. This is a day of routine, like every other day in your life. And there's no need to be let down when you realize this year will be pretty much like the last. Because routine is beautiful.
Routine takes integrity.
People who live a life of routine have accomplished some pretty amazing things in the past 1,000 years. A life well lived, most of the time. When you take off from work to spend time with your child, you're a hero, at least to that child. When she grows up, she'll remember those times and try to live the example with her kids. You've helped train generations of good parents, benefiting the lives of individuals and society.