What is fair?

In the process of raising five children--at home, in the workplace, at church and in the world--I have heard the occasional protest that something is not fair! I have come to realize that fairness is a matter of perspective. What seems fair to one group may not be to another. In fact, as we try to make things fair for everyone, we are bound to exclude someone.

I want everyone to be happy. So, somewhere along the way, I came up with the following response:

In the short run, nothing is fair. In the long run, everything is fair.

Think about it.

It helps to have faith in a higher power. I believe in a Savior who took upon himself not only all the sins of the world, but also all the pains, the sickness, the injustice and the inequity of the world--one who makes up the difference, who makes us whole.

My wife's mother recently said that she thought of me when she ran across the following:

all is fine in the end
if it isn't
then it isn't the end

We still try to make sure everyone is treated fairly, but it makes it easier when someone gets the short stick, knowing that in the end it will all work out.