"Emma, I need more than a few days' notice before being asked to drive 15 hours."
Ron Wagner
CMO l Growth Leader l Board Member l Small-Biz Advisor l Personal Brand Authority l Speaker l Author
(Re-post of an original article from May 2020)
But, despite my protestations, tomorrow I start a two-day, 15-hour drive to Gainesville.
Labor Day weekend 2004.?My daughter Emma is 8 and spending the holiday weekend with her friend’s family in Margate, NJ, about 90 minutes from our home.?It’s Sunday night at 10 PM; Emma calls, says she's sick and wants to come home. My wife says no, it’s too late for Dad to drive, we can get her in the morning.?I asked my wife for the phone then told Emma that “I’ll be there in two hours.”?I explained to my wife that the last thing I want is for my daughter to look back later in life and think Dad wasn’t there when she needed him.?
I arrived in Margate at 12:30 AM, made small talk with the host family and headed home with Emma at 1 AM.?From the back seat of my Chevy Blazer, a tired Emma said “thanks, Daddy; not many Dads would do this; I love you.”?She then fell asleep for the balance of ride as the lights from the Atlantic City casinos faded from the rearview mirror.
Fast-forward to this past Sunday..May 18.?Emma calls me, this time from Gainesville, FL, asking if I can drive to Florida in three days to help her move back home after completing her masters.?I said, “Emma, I have to work…I need more than a few days’ notice before being asked to drive 15 hours; let’s do this next week.”?She said “OK, Dad” and we hung up.?I thought about it, remembered the trip to Margate in 2004 when she was sick.?I called her back.?“Your mom and I will be there by 2PM on Thursday.”
I looked back on times when I was stressed about work, worried about taking time off for vacation and realized none of that really mattered. Work was always there waiting for me, but time with my children can be fleeting.
This is just a simple reminder that we work to live, not the other way around.?When your kids need you, everything else can wait.?Sleep doesn’t matter.?Work doesn’t matter.?Your own priorities don’t matter.?You drop everything for your children when they need you.
Retired
1 年Way to go Ron!! Always remember’Family First’.
Navigating Supply Chain Uncertainty
1 年U R a good Dad! I too was asked to drive my daughter Grace Austvold to her summer internship - from Boston to Minneapolis - she did a lot of driving while I did work. I enjoyed the trip and treasure the memories! Life is short. I’m not here for a long time, I’m here for a good time!
Chief Commercial Officer at Mac Papers and Packaging
1 年Nice Ron!
Enterprise Marketing Pro at Sinch | ABM Expert | Leader | Change Agent | Speaker
1 年You have your priorities right! Sweet stories. Just what Dad's should do! Last month, my husband and I made a last-minute decision to fly from PA to CA for the weekend -- yes arrived on a Friday mid-day and had 48 hours with our daughter then flew back early Sunday morning. She's a Marine and was getting ready for a deployment -- and we just had to see her and help pack up her apt. before she left. Worked hard half the time but had some wonderful quality time discussing her dreams and future over drinks and dinner...by the ocean. Priceless moments. No matter how old your kids get, you want to grab every moment with them that you can!! ??
Business Administrator at Narberth Presbyterian Church
1 年Ron is the real deal, I know because I have worked with him. To be in thot role was a privilege and I learned a great deal from him. To be his family is surely also a blessing. Balance, priority, respect and kindness - my “Ron” words! May everyone have a professional relationship to look so fondly upon.