Heights
The heights by great men reached and kept
Were not attainted by sudden flight,
But they, while there companions slept,
Were toiling upward in the night.
Henry Longfellow’s words from The Ladder of St. Augustine ring clearly in my mind – not beacuse of an impactful English literature class, but because my grandfather recited these words to me more than 10 years ago as we discussed my career ambitions.
Late this particular December evening this poem came to mind as I made a late night drive from Nashville to Atlanta. Following a full day of strategy, finance, sales and civic engagement, I needed to make the 4 hour drive east on I-24 over Monteagle to Chattanooga, then south on I-75 and west on I-285 to approach home.
I’d told the boys that I’d be home before school the next morning, but had hoped to catch them before they went to bed. There was work left undone in Nashville, which meant an early start by phone the next morning. No doubt, my late night drive meant that, I would be tired and make for poor company for at least part of the weekend coming. This was one of those situations where all that I was certain of was that despite my best efforts, I would please absolutely no one.
Modern families seem to demand more of fathers (and of mothers) than previous generations. On the one hand, good dads are expected to go to work to put a roof overhead, coach soccer, make it to PTA, take the wife out on Friday, give her some “me time” on Saturday and be at church on Sunday. Not a complaint, but a priveledge.
On the other hand, I am who I am because I insist on giving the best I can to all with whom I work with, work for and serve – chief among them, my family. The best of my intellect and experience at the office, the best of my service to my community and the best of my attention, affection and lifesytle to my family. Said differently, a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do!
This is the balancing act of modern manhood.
My grandfather’s words, and Longfellow’s, keep me “toiling upward in the night.” So no complaints as I hop off the highway and make the final turn towards home. All smiles as I kiss the sleeping angels and climb into a warm bed. The next morning will come too fast.
