I was sat quietly trying to figure out some bizarre game Hawklad had loaded onto my phone. It wasn’t going well, I can now add not being able to cross strange characters across busy roads to my litany of other incompetences….

As I unintentionally squashed more and more characters, a couple that looked about my age came into the sparse waiting room. Sounded like their daughter was having a counselling session at the same time as Hawklad. Unlike me they weren’t particularly quiet…. As my character death toll climbed relentlessly I had to listen to a families not so private backstory. Let’s just say it’s a family dealing with some stuff.

But one thing the bloke said stood out.

For whatever reason he had clearly missed quite a lot of stuff, important stuff and he knew it. To something his wife said, he mentioned having to miss his daughter’s school concert because he had a meeting. His wife pointed out with clear frustration that he missed last year’s concert as well. This year he had also missed her awards ceremony and sports day. To this he responded with

“Work is work, I will make it up to her, definitely NEXT SCHOOL YEAR.”

The sigh I heard from the woman to that sounded like she might have heard that before.

Maybe Work is Work but LIFE is DEFINITELY LIFE. Time rolls on. You only get so many chances to show up to things life school concerts, award ceremonies and sports days. All too quickly the chances end for good and you are either left with wonderful memories or painful regrets. That is inevitable.

53 thoughts on “Inevitable”

  1. Fortunately I realised this early on and didn’t do too badly at being there while the kids grew up. Sadly, I didn’t realise all I needed to know about weight control, pensions and a few other things. Now, at 66 with declining mobility and the the spectre of a family history of dementia and Parkinsons, I know that if I don’t do it now I probably won’t get a second chance.

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  3. You may not be doing well in computer games, Gary, but you are winning in life and for Hawklad. I agree with you that life is life and we only get one shot at this short time on this planet. I hope that man readjusts his priorities soon.

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  11. Having never had children I am not qualified to comment but I have always felt that if you commit to having children, you must be prepared to do it properly.

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  13. A scenario that is probably far too common. A sad story and perhaps a gentle reminder for some, too. A benefit to your hearing and retelling it. Children do grow so fast. I feel fortunate to be blessed with wonderful memories. 💕

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  15. Yes, it’s so bloody hard. I feel bad my kids haven’t been able to participate in as much stuff outside of school hours because I teach at night, but I do my best like hell to attend whatever they are in, like concerts or forensics. If there’s no way for me to be there (it’s rare, but it happens), then I sure as hell make sure another important loved one is. They deserve to know they matter. xxxxxx

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  16. Important point, and one that is particularly poignant for me right now. I am involved in a program that has me writing my “story.” Funny that my story starts out with the very first time both my parents were supposed to be at a school event to support me…and they didn’t show. As a 62 year old woman, I was surprised by how much that still hurt!

    Children NEED love and support from their parents…it is so sad that many do not get it…

    Thanks for writing about real issues.

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  18. So true. Either some people hold their work as being more important, or there is fear of missing work, missing the hours to pay the bills. Fear of needing to hold on to the job they have. Either way, it’s kind of sad, because you’re right, life is life, too. You blink and you could miss it. So priorities must come before preferences or fears if we are to make the most of life and what matters most.

    I do understand the fear side of things though. It’s tough when you believe that you can’t lose your job or you won’t be able to pay the bills. So I’m glad that God is the source that trumps fear. No job is worth holding onto if it comes between a person and their family. Either he should seek employment that fits the function of his family better, or ask for an adjustment to his hours. No job is that valuable to simply say that work is work. There will be a better way if He has God to lead the way. That’s why I’m glad that God trumps fear. There is always a work around when we can trust in God’s provisions. Am I right!? 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 Sorry, it’s your fault that I got up on my soap box. Your post made me reflect on why people choose work over family. It’s either that the job is more valuable or theirs fear in losing the employment and income.

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