Bingo card redux
2 minute read
So…a couple of weeks ago, I posted about a family event that unexpectedly upended my work schedule. It was a positive event (child birth), one that got me thinking about work/life balance, integrity, personal priorities, and so on.
Last Friday, I received another reminder of such things: my wife’s oldest had been in a serious car accident and her prognosis was, at that time, unknown. (She’s got a long, painful recovery ahead of her, but she survived.)
My wife immediately packed a bag and headed for the hospital (a few hours away).
My oldest grandchild also started driving to the hospital. While she was on her way, her boyfriend was involved in a separate car accident and severely hurt. My granddaughter had originally planned to be in the same car at the same time. Had that happened, it’s highly unlikely she would have survived.
Thus, we very nearly had a double tragedy in short order.
That’s given me much to think about over the past few days.
I know it’s not pleasant to think about personal issues, especially when you’re focused on work or technical issues.Yet, life events happen. We can’t ignore them just because they’re hard or make us uncomfortable. My family may have avoided the double tragedy, but many don’t.
People we know and respect deal with such things on a regular basis. We often don’t even realize the things going on outside of the current project.
I stand behind my earlier post: Life is short. It’s over before you know it. Do the thing when it needs to be done.
Say what needs to be said when it needs to be said; otherwise, you may not have the opportunity. If you feel the impulse to say something nice, do so. If you feel gratitude, express it. If you need something, ask for it. Comfort. Engage. Interact.
The only way things get better is if we’re active… and proactive… in making them better. Get involved.
That’s my take and I’m not going to apologize for it.