If you are wondering why the lack in new posts on this blog, well, let's just say that time wasn't very much available with all my events happening and being hospitalised last week didn't help the blogging opportunities either.
Yup, I was hospitalised for a never-going away thumping headache that got the doctors worried enough to make sure I was under intense painkillers and close observation for a good 6 days. Good news is that the headache did go away but the bad news is I still need the painkillers. At least for a while.
Doctors diagnosis? Well, no specific apart from stress induced. It seems that I was overworking. Perhaps I was. Hence this post.
You see, I visited a friend's wake yesterday who passed away because of cancer. He was in his 50s and his wife and all three of his children were friends of mine.
As Daphne and I sat there talking to his wife and kids, a familiar picture of a dad that works hard so that his family gets a good life emerges. Dad builds a business that provided for the children's education and quality of life and now lies in peace nothing more than 10 metres away from where we sat.
His daughter said many things about her last moments with dad and especially about how she wishes he could have enjoyed the fruits of his labour. Almost subconsciously and unrehearsed, I gave a very quick reply.
My reply caught even me by surprised to be honest. I said to her that she was his fruit of his labour and she don't know how much he enjoyed his children which made all his hard work worth it.
My dad passed away due to a heart attack when he was 47 and again, a similar story emerges of a dad that overworked. Without a shadow of doubt, my dad's fruits of labour wasn't the company nor the work, it was us, his children. It was his family and dad never hid that fact.
Fast forward 13 year since his passing, I sat in that chair, now as a dad, giving a response that perhaps makes me realised how much being dad really means.
What often brings great satisfaction and pleasure like a new playstation
(which is still a good idea) or buying a new golf club pales in comparision to the ability to afford gym classes for Maegan and now, perhaps graduating her into another program called
Growing Up Gifted.
I guess what brings me joy now is to see Maegan grow with opportunities to excel and more importantly enjoy and being able to afford her that brings satisfaction, justifying the late nights and hard work.
But the more I ponder, the more I wonder what thrills Maegan more? Another fun learning environment or having her dad around when she has her own children. I presume the latter.
Given my family history, I've always joked that every year pass 50 would be a bonus year but I guess after my recent stay in the hospital, I like to try having many more bonus years. Not for my sake but for Daphne and Maegan and our children, and possibly grand-children to come.
I still like to give Maegan all that will help her grow and have fun but I like to be around for that. It does mean I have to slow down (
which is not very easy for me but I'll try) and stay healthy. It also means ordering my work hours to make sure I have enough energy each day to play with her and take her to classes she's enrolled for.
It's a tall order but I believe it's worth the effort.
Just this past week, my counterparts from Australia and New Zealand were in town for our regular country leaders meeting and they got very concerned about my health. We love each other because we are more family than colleagues and they like many others are telling me that it's time to slow down.
I never got a chance to give this reply but the truth is, there are not many things in this world that is worth putting your heart and soul in. Finding just one cause that ignites that passion is wonderful but being a part of the vision is even more precious.
Doing what I do today at Halogen Foundation is one that I'm passionate about and willing to go that extra mile to make it the best organisation we can be. But there are things more important than that.
My family. Now that's worth giving my life to.
:o)
