To first weeks...

It's been quite a while since I've had a "first week on the job".  I honestly thought that the company I just left was going to be the one that I rode out into the sunset with.  It was the first time in a long time that I could say that with any real confidence.  Companies change though and so do people...specifically me. 

For the past 13+ years I've given the majority of my life and then some to whatever company I was working for because quite frankly they demanded it...and I had a family to take care of.  Because of this, I missed a fair number of "firsts" with our kiddos and just a lot of time with them.  More so with Marlee than Sam.  For a while when Marlee was little, life got really complicated and regardless of what was going on...all that matters is that it became a distraction and her baby life slipped right on by me.

Fast forward 10 years later and through various conduits (I couldn't resist that one) I found myself interviewing with a new company.  One that I can say seems to really value their employees and their families.  Even more...one that understands what work / life balance really means.

For a moment here...I'm going to show my cards a little.  I never thought I would ever get the chance to interview with a company like this much less work for them.  I never had the chance to finish up getting the higher education that some of my peers have.  All I have is my work ethic and the experience I've gained over the years.  It can be seriously intimidating to be around all those degrees on the wall and it can feel like a hurdle that is almost impossible to traverse at times.

The one thing that I've had though is being able to overcome that fear and intimidation and when given the chance to go after something, I don't hesitate.  When I saw this opportunity, I knew this could be a real game changer for me and my family.  Yes, I'm starting over in a new industry.  Yes, it will be difficult and overwhelming at times...but...what I will gain above any monetary benefit is something that you can never get back...time.

I can't make up for the time I gave up when our family was small and struggling.  I will just have to accept that and live with it.  What I can do is make more time for my family now and in the future.

That makes this "first week" worth it all.