I Didn't Miss It

The other day someone said to me, "hey you missed the (big community event) last week". 

I didn't miss it. 

Favorite pic from Ns art show.

I was at a football scrimmage, saw my freshman enter his first high school game for seven snaps. I didn't miss his first throw to his favorite receiver, or that he went 3-5 and that one of his misses he hit the dude square in the chest. It was a total of maybe five minutes of playing time, and I didn't miss it. 

The week before a high ranking official was here and we had been trying to connect to talk some work stuff about small business items. We'll probably connect again soon down in Indy or chat via zoom on some work items. I feel bad we didn't connect, but I was exactly where I wanted to be. 

I didn't miss it. 

M in right lane.

I was focused on a swim meet, where my youngest pulled maybe the best backstroke turn ever, and as usual did a great job cheering on friends. That one isn't that competitive, but loves to be part of a team, make friends, and is the one who can't wait for school to be back in session. 

The following day I got a reminder text about an outdoor reception being hosted where most likely some important people would be mingling. I replied that I was not sure I could make it, I had a few other things on my calendar I was juggling and depending on the weather I would try...

I didn't miss it. 

The weather was great, the sun was out, and so I didn't go, instead I drove to Gingerman Raceway. Yeah, its summer, my Z is running, and I am driving her. It was just Me and My Z out there, cruising to the track, burning oil and passing cars on the track, dinner with my SCCA peeps, and a sunset drive home while watching fireworks along the lake... I was exactly where I wanted to be. 

I try to be a good dad, attend the things, volunteer for PTO, and since starting to work from home I have gotten to enjoy the kids a lot more (and they annoy me a lot more as well... ha). I wrote a blog reflecting on that in 2022 (Cocoa Bombs) and while honestly I don't like working from home because its hard to find motivation and I really really miss having office friends... it has helped me prioritize my time that really should be outside of work, and I want to start answering more often...

My Z at Gingerman

I didn't miss it. 

Instead maybe I was at a local brewery watching my oldest talk about and display beautiful works of art that came from those hands. Hands down my favorite event this month, and when planning it, it was nice to say, you tell me when you need to have it, and I'll be there, cause it is exactly where I want to be. 

The other thing I often do, and I am doing less, is moving family things around for community events. Date night with Jenn, or game time with kids. Like our Sundays are really a fun tradition now, who knows how fall sports scheduling will impact that, but we have developed fun routines and I need to focus on just letting work and community things pass and say honestly... 

I didn't miss it. 

I think I too often have sacrificed where I want to be, for where I think others want me to be. At a big local event, mingling with donors, sharing an event to help get people there, speaking to a group, etc. Apologies to the people who were often on the list of things I missed that I did want to be at in the past that I sacrificed for work. I feel bad, and while yes work is important, and I think I am still doing a good job, if you looked around at an event and thought Sam isn't here... 

I didn't miss it.