I found out today that a Toronto colleague named Paul S. has left the company. Reading Li’s article about motherhood reminded me of one of Paul’s zen observations to me, years ago.

Kids … they are the best things that ever happen to you. They are also the worst things that ever happen to you.

Having spent around two years in the company of the procreative minority of society, I’ve seen this duality face to face. Due to a fortunate stash of resources and lack of tragedies, the “worst” times have been tolerable, and the “best” simply sublime.