When I was much younger I worked all the hours I could get. And when I married my first wife and had children, I did not change my habits. I worked as much as I could. When I worked at the Mines I worked all the hours they would give me. When I lost that job I worked three in attempts to bring in the same income. Then I went into the Army in the Field Artillery. I was in the field a lot, Pulled staff duty, UP and was out of country for 26 months. Needless to say, that was not good for my family.
My first children Timothy born in July 1995 and Mikeila born in November 1996 did not see much of me at all. I let them down in every way imaginable. The monetary support can not take the place of being a parent. I was so engulfed in work I did not take time for what really maters in life.
I went about ten years after our divorce doing nothing but working. When I left the Army I came back to Florida and got the first job I was offered that paid more the minimum wadge and worked 60 to 80 hours a week.
And then one day about 10 years later I met Rebeca. And priorities changed. I changed jobs to one that would give me a set schedule Monday through Friday. I started caring about the time I had with her. We have 2 children now and one on the way. I still work some long hours from about 5 am to 4 ish PM. I'm pretty strict about leaving on time. And I spend as much time as I can with the family.
We take random trips frequently and have a family night once a week. I'm truly trying to make the time count. I still have a ways to go, however I'm determined not to make the same mistakes I did in the past.
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