I was the Chairman of the Remodelers Council of the Tallahassee Builders Association in 2016. I was actually a recycled Chairman having been chairman of the group 20 years earlier. The monthly meeting is to educate, inform, inspire and train Remodeling Contractors in our profession.
One of the things I did at most meetings that year was add something about life, because too many of us, in every profession, can become so focused on work we can lose sight of what’s important in life.
I called it,
View from the Chair
September 2016
Somehow you got into this business to make a living and take care of your family. Whether that meant just you and the Mrs., or if you found yourself holding a full house, a pair of you and 3 kids; that’s what drove you forward.
Now years later, grinding through your second or third decade have you taken the time lately to remember who was important? It’s not some stranger who is whining because they don’t have an estimate in 4 days.
Now I don’t recommend taking up a new hobby when you still can’t afford to retire, but 10 days ago I was rewarded for this folly.
My daughter Tiffany, a 21 year old senior at FSU, spent the day out on the water with me, as a birthday present I requested. It was her first time out since I got the boat last year.
And although the day was beautiful, the boat ran great and the food and drinks were fine, we hadn’t caught at thing and it was getting late.
I tried my last spot and, she caught small trout we threw back, then a couple of catfish. I didn’t know she was just warming up until she squealed “daddy, daddy”. Watching the rod almost double over, I knew it was big and hoped it wasn’t another cat.
With just a few tips from dad, ‘keep your rod tip up and move away from that anchor line’, she brought it in a gorgeous, keeper size redfish.
I don’t have words to adequately explain the gratification I got from watching her and the joy we shared. We both laughed later when she said, “daddy I was squealing like a 10 year old girl.” It was true.
I know you’ll jump back into plowing through you day, but I hope you might think later about what and who is important in life. Then plan and take some time to show them, it’s still true.
Kip Carpenter
September 2016