Concentrated Quality Time
I haven’t really traveled much since leaving IBM in May of this year. But Q4 in the software sales world kinda changes things. So, with the increased travel comes a change in family life.
Since returning from a recuperative three-day trip to the Jive Software mothership in Portland, OR yesterday, life has been all about my daughter (except for when I snuck peeks at my laptop when she wanted to play by herself). About 10 minutes after walking in the front door last night, I found myself making high-heeled paper shoes for the stuffed unicorn I brought home for her.
She’s been sort of sick all week, driving my saintly hubs slowly insane, so he got a pass to be completely absent today - he was in college football heaven in his basement man cave. Thank googly Iowa won.
Anyway.
Today was a windy, barely chilly, gorgeous Minnesota fall day. Lots of leaves were kicked and thrown while my girl and I walked, played, ate, and shopped all over our wonderful neighborhood for about five hours. While she ran around playing pirate at the neighborhood baseball diamond, I was busy changing the giant penis somebody had carved out of the hard-packed sand into a pretty flower vase. I think you can see it from space.
But, I think the best part of today was during our morning tea party, when my girl said, “Mommy, I love being with you.”
Yep. It was a great day.
How great Life is huh? Many years back I traveled 4 days a week for 2 years straight. I came home one day and looked at my then little girls (now 13 and 17) and realized I missed something money nor anything else could ever make up.
That was a Thursday night and Friday I walked into my CEO’s office and told him - I’m not traveling anymore, I’ll resign or you can move me horizontally. 6 months later I left a very lucrative postion much to the dismay of my CEO.
Was that stupid? Well, since that Thursday night, I have never missed one single event of daughters and even have coached both of them. Did I give up money - why sure but money can’t replace the wealth I’ve received from the words of my daughters to this day -
“Daddy, you’re the best.”
Yep. You made my day Gia!
From Peter Fleckenstein on October 19th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Hey, Peter, that’s a great story! Yep, I left IBM for similar reasons and took a pay cut as well. I hope that after we rock our Q4, I can return to a more occasional travel schedule.
Glad you got something out of my post!
From Gia Lyons on October 19th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Hi Gia,
I’m getting introduced to the wonders of Q4… I think you should stay put in MN. No need for you to be on the road. I promise, I won’t get mad! :)
From luis benitez on October 19th, 2008 at 8:29 pm
Luis, heh. You are just going to have to put up with me, mi amigo. :)
From Gia Lyons on October 19th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Sounds like a perfect day.
From Troy Jensen on October 22nd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Sounds familiar, awhile ago I turned down a dream job so I could remain at home with my family - 15, 13, and 12. Some days I wish I was on the road though (we just finished homework and chores). Just kidding! No I’m not!
From Jay on October 22nd, 2008 at 9:25 pm