This image got me.
Big time.
It got me for a couple reasons…
One, I can see myself as the kid in it.
As some of you may know, I am pretty tight with my old man.
We’ve been through some stuff together.
I’ve watched him build a business in the face of lots of doubters who didn’t think it could ever happen…
I watched that business grow like crazy and silence those doubters…
I watched that business crumble, fall apart and go bankrupt in 2008 (along with lots of other businesses).
He and I picked up what was left and restarted the business (new name, new location) and, for the last 15 years, have been building it back up.
And, it’s provided a pretty fantastic income and life for my family and I.
So, seeing this image, I can’t help but flash through all of the memories I have with my old man. Lots of good ones, and plenty of uncertain ones.
I also realize that there’s most likely a lot more memories that have already been made than there are ones that are forthcoming.
And that’s just kinda sad to think about.
We’re not quite to the bottom row yet where the son has his arm around his old man who seems to have shrunk in stature.
So, there’s a decent amount of time left, God willing. But, the next few phases aren’t too far off either.
The other thing I see in this image is Jack (my son) and I.
We’re right there in the 3rd and 4th stage where I’m carrying him on my back and putting the sleepy boy to bed.
But we’re unbelievably close to the point where I won’t ever actually pick him up or hold him in my arms ever again.
He’s just getting too big.
It won’t be long before I’m straightening the tie at his wedding…
It’s just unbelievable how slow things can seem to go in the moment and day by day when kids are young…
But, then, looking at this picture, and thinking back to how fast time has flown for my Dad and I…
And how fast it seems to be going as a Dad to my own kids…
My point?
I (and you) must, somehow, in the midst of the chaos, find the time to savor the moment.
There’s plenty of times at work, here in the business when we are slammed busy…
And customers are bitching because we’re behind…
And things are tense for one reason or another…
But, I’ve gotta remember that my Dad and I are IN BUSINESS. And have been for several years…
Employing 9 guys. Who’ve been with us for years.
And we both make enough, even plenty, of money.
And have all the time freedom we could ask for.
So, for the most part, even though times can get stressful and things can get hectic, big picture wise, it’s cart wheels around here.
We’ve got a unique biz without a whole lot of competition…
We have a base of customers not likely or go anywhere, a whole bunch of neat projects done and shipped and a whole bunch more in the pipe.
And, we’re really good at the stuff we do. (PVC/Urethane fabrication, for those who don’t know what I do)
…
And, at home, even though the house is always a mess.
And it’s loud.
And it’s chaotic.
And sometimes there are more sports practices than there are parents.
And the laundry fills the entire house if we take a 1 hour break from it.
I gotta remember that, all the chaos and busyness is kind of the entire point.
In business and at home, there’s always stuff to deal with. The action, which can seem tedious and annoying in the moment, is what it’s all about, really.
And even though it’s not always fun stuff, it’s part of the gig. And, someday, I’ll look back on right now and wonder where the hell all the time went.
So there’s my reflective musing for the day.
Hopefully you take a nugget or two from it.
C-ya
