Find your family/work balance

Photo: Marty Whitford

“In the blink of an eye, your children grow up. Don’t get distracted. You can’t get that time back.” That was the sage advice my mom shared with me nearly 23 years ago, when I became a first-time dad.

I realize now that back then Mom probably was looking at me wondering, “How did my sweet little brown-eyed, bow-tied boy grow up so fast?” (Truth be told, I’m not always all that sweet, and I’m sure there were plenty of moments in my teens and 20s that my parents were wondering if I would ever grow up.)

Time waits for no one. Everyone is “on the shot clock.” As the seconds … minutes … days … months … and years tick by, most of us grapple with family/work balance on and off — especially when we love our chosen professions and the time we spend with our work colleagues.

The accompanying collage is a reminder to all of us to keep putting faith, family and friends first. Our work is important and rewarding, but it’s not the No. 1 thing (never mind everything).

You can reach Publisher & Editorial Director Marty Whitford at mwhitford@northcoastmedia.net or 216-706-3766.