A few days ago I read this comic by an artist that I normally admire. However, this time he compared have a baby to having a cat…and the cat came out on top. Basically, he concluded that babies poop and ruin your life; therefore, they’re much inferior to angelic kittens who use a litter box and are self-sufficient.

Now, I don’t know how much you know about cats and babies, but the basic premise is wrong. Kids eventually become (potty-trained) adults, and cats randomly barf or pee or even poop where you don’t want them to.

But more than this, children bring joy. They might be difficult, but they’re also lovely. There’s nothing so precious as a baby, nothing so musical as his laugh.

A few years ago I was having a difficult day, and my sister called, asking me to babysit my (then) one-year-old nephew. I wasn’t sure I wanted to add a baby to my crappy day, but I couldn’t say no…

And I’m glad I didn’t.

My day turned around. That sweet face just brought light into the darkness. And I don’t know if you’ve ever heard a baby laugh, but it’s the best sound ever. Seriously. Better than angelic choirs singing Handel’s Messiah (which is my idea of heaven).

I watch my younger nephew regularly now. He’s 14 months old. When he smiles, he tilts his head back, squeezes his eyes closed, and gives the biggest, cheesiest grin. And then when he laughs, everything’s okay. Child laughter is pure love and joy and enthusiasm for life. It’s all that’s good.

When you need a little happiness, listen to a baby laugh (I may have a video of this for emergencies).

Choose Joy.

–A