He is still struggling and in the hospital and will likely not get any feeling back on the left side of his body. It is a terrible sight seeing someone who was such an influence on me and my work ethic growing up.
Prior to his stroke I was challenged with making a career decision that was weighing on me heavily. I travel an hour to work every day and closer to an hour and half from work each day. I do this six days a week, 48 weeks a year. It wears on me mentally and physically.
I had an opportunity a few weeks prior to Thanksgiving to stay with the same company (it is a co-operative), but work for a new management team and owner so that I could work closer to home. I have known the management team since I was in high school and I have known the owner basically since I was born since he is a high school classmate of my uncle's and has been a friend of the family for over 40 years.
After my grandfather suffered the stroke that may ultimately take his life, I was over whelmed by the thoughts, prayers, and caring nature that the owner of the company sent my family. I ultimately made the decision to continue to drive nearly 2.5 hours daily to work for that owner. It may not be as financially rewarding with car costs, but spiritually it is more important for me to stay loyal to his company than to try something new so that I may cut my commute down.
There aren't many Derek Jeter or Chipper Jones or Barry Larkins anymore. I decided I was going to join that pantheon of legends in the supermarket business.
It is a large commitment and I am happy I did it.
The world often shows us signs that what we are doing is right or wrong. By getting a large card like this on a day I made a big decision I feel like it was the right move to keep moving forward, just as the card depicts Cutch continuing to run towards home smiling and winning.
That's a great response on the part of your company. There's more to job choices than money, that's for sure. I wish the best for your grandfather and the rest of your family.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Trevor. For me money is the last reason to hold/take a job. In this day and age the simpler things (often unrecognized) are what really matter. Prayers for your family.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to your grandfather and your family.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the decision to stick around with your company. As someone who has hopped across different jobs, the grass isn’t always greener. Good luck!
Best wishes to your family. Always make the decisions that you feel is right.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Congrats on the 5x7 too.
Best wishes to your family!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Many times I could have sought after higher paying jobs in other places, but I stayed where I was for stability, the stability of my family and because my workplace showed it valued me.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I like the idea of buying a card to commemorate something notable in your life. I've done that a couple times recently. It's one way to make this hobby quite powerful.
Loyalty doesn't seem to be a trait that lot of modern people value, so it's nice to hear of an instance where it was appreciated. As far as the distance from work goes, if you plan to stay with the company for a while, have you put any thought into moving closer so that your commute time might not be so bad? Also, six days a week? That seems a bit excessive, hopefully that's by choice, and not a necessity.
ReplyDeleteI'm very sorry to hear that Grandpa's stroke was so bad. My grandpa had a stroke too, and that was sort of the beginning of the end for him, so I can relate a little bit.
It's always cool to hear about people staying loyal to their teams and in your case company. When I started teaching, I thought I'd stay loyal to that elementary school, but I ended up following my buddy who became a principal. A few years later, I had the opportunity to teach at the middle school level... and that's where I've been ever since. I went back to my first school a few years ago... and I only recognized two of the teachers. I was impressed that they've stuck around that whole time, since a lot of changes have occurred to that school.
ReplyDeleteP.S. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family (especially your grandfather).