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Between Family and Work
When absence jeopardizes what matters most
Michael Anderson slammed his laptop shut with such force that the family picture on his desk trembled, the cheerful expressions of his wife and children seeming to taunt him for his most recent setback. It was January 15th, just under two weeks into the new year, yet he had already failed at adhering to his two key resolutions. Once more. The day began with him reprimanding his ten-year-old daughter, Emma, for drenching his work papers with orange juice, followed by his absence at his son’s basketball game — the third one he had missed this month.
On the pristine notebook sitting on his desk were his yearly commitments, penned with great care: “1. Show more patience towards the kids and Linda. 2. Allocate time for family activities.” These identical two goals had been a consistent presence at the top of his list for five consecutive years, akin to permanent artifacts in a gallery of well-meaning resolutions.
At the age of forty-five, Michael had become an expert in crafting excuses. His role as senior marketing director at Thompson & Brooks demanded extensive hours. The repayment for his lovely home in Connecticut was necessary. The tuition for the children’s private school wouldn’t just appear by itself. However, recently, these rationales felt hollow, akin to outdated…
