It is no secret that I work too much and don't spend as much time with my family as I would like. Several weeks ago I learned that my 12-year old daughter had been selected to represent her class at homecoming.
My wife filled in the details, she said my daughter wanted me to escort her, there would be one practice session and then she hit me with the big one - this year's homecoming was going to be in January. Oh my, January by far is my busiest month at work. Integrating a large acquisition this year has made it doubly busy.
I silently stared at my wife for several moments before I said, "I'll make it work". The rehearsal was Wednesday January 18th at noon and homecoming was Friday night. I thought the Wednesday rehearsal would be the more difficult one to make since it was at mid-day and I would have to allow commute time. Being there at 5:00pm Friday night should be much easier since most of the executives usually clear out out well before then on Fridays.
As life usually works, I get an email on Tuesday from the CEO's secretary requesting my attendance at a meeting on Friday from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. This meeting was to provide a detailed briefing to the CEO and CFO on a couple of important matters. As in most companies, meeting times are set at the convenience of the executives. After much finagling, I was able to get the meeting moved to 8:00am.
When I relayed this to my daughter, her face lit up and her eyes beamed wide, "You did all that for me daddy?" Having to overcome this adversity made the time spent with my daughter all the more special to her. As investors we spend a great deal of time analyzing and selecting stocks, sometimes we (I) forget to invest in the lives of those that mean the most to us (me). The dividends paid here are certainly much better than those from equities!
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Speaking as a woman, I just have to say what a wonderful thing you did! Your daughter will pay you back more "dividends" over a lifetime than a job or a stock ever will.
I was feeling a little cynical and scared over the state of the economy this morning but your story lifted my spirits.
It's certainly important to attend to our careers and our investments, but when all that goes to pot, our families will still be there!
Anon: thank you so much for your kind and thoughtful comment. It made my day!
Best Wishes,
Dividends4Life
Well done. You did the right thing.
10, 20 years from now, you'll remember your daughter's homecoming like as if it happened yesterday. Your daughter will remember all the steps you took to make it a memorable occassion for her.
And no matter how hard you think, you will not have any recollections about the "really important and urgent stuff" your CEO and CFO wanted.
I can practically guarantee this.
Well done, and as Anon said, you have yet again chosen the correct investment.
FS: You are so correct. To see that big beautiful smile on her face as we walked down the center isle before a packed gym was priceless! As for the meeting, half the things we were to discuss was postponed to a later meeting.
Best Wishes,
Dividends4Life