The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man’s foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher. Thomas Henry Huxley, 1825 – 1895
It doesn’t take much to bring home how little are small cares can be. I have a wonderful friend from my high school days. He and I have stayed friends over the years with many phone calls and lots of visits. He is the father of three beautiful girls.
Three years ago his oldest and then eighteen year old daughter was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. It’s not an ugly disease. But there are permanent changes in lifestyle that must occur: changes in diet, changes in behavior, and changes that require daily monitoring. As a parent, we want to weep for this new direction that our child must now go through for the rest of their life.
Yesterday, his fourteen year old daughter was diagnosed for the same condition. Again, as a parent we want to weep for the changes that our children must now face. And to face this disease for a second time is a huge slap in the face.
And yet, my friend goes to the bright side. True, he grieves. But then he moves on. He becomes an even greater advocate for his daughters whether it’s in sports or in education. He listens, he learns, he is a force for positive energy for all who are around him.
What’s this have to do with payroll? Nothing. What’s this have to do with how we live our lives? Everything. How we respond to life changes (especially negative ones) exemplifies who we are. We can choose to go down the drain with sadness and woe and who can blame you. Or we can grieve, then turn about and face the sun.
Yours truly,
Bryan Dear
