The Father-of-Five.
The biggest change in came in January 2022 - when I made a tremendous leap of faith and completely changed my life's trajectory. After 27 years in the same (high-stress - massive overtime) career with the same employer - I made the (difficult) decision that it was time to make a change. My career was "high profile" and I found myself identifying more and more with "what I did" than "who I was". The stress and volume of hours I was working under had become "normal" to me. I had fallen victim to the Boiling Frog Syndrome. In the previous five years I had seen no less than five co-workers (and friends) succumb to significant medical problems (that could easily be traced back to our jobs) or die (quite unexpectedly, and way to early). Once I started experiencing some medical matters of my own (that I could draw a correlation to my job) I knew the time was getting close and I began to search for "what comes next".
I was offered and nearly accepted a position in the same industry, but more of a supporting role - but ultimately turned the offer down due to the length of the commute it would require.
Then, a position within a different division of my company opened up. I was qualified, knew the supervisor, and even had a background and interest in the subject matter (Maintenance). I applied, interviewed, and ultimately offered this position.
Due to the massive shortage in staffing (which has only worsened since I left) - I was asked to consider "part time" work for my previous division. I have agreed - and work between two to eight shifts a month. Just enough to keep connected to my previous coworkers (and friends) - and provide me a little taste (and reminder why I do not want to do it for 40-75 hours a week) of what was a TREMENDOUS part of who I was for over a quarter century.
Now that I have a pretty regular schedule (M-F 7-3:30pm) - I am simply amazed at the number of activities and events I was never part of - and how much of my life (and the lives of my children) I missed out on.
The Mother-of-five
The Mother-of-five has (over the years, and due to my work schedule) - changed positions several times - but has ultimately returned to a field and employer that has worked well for her in the past. With my schedule FAR more regular - and the kids mostly grown and out of the house - it has been much easier to maintain a regular and un-interrupted position with the same employer.
We are now experiencing life as parents with adult children. No, not quite empty nesters yet - but we have a lot more free time to spend together - and we are learning how to adapt, adjust, and how to manage this next phase of our lives.
Recently, we lost the "Mother of the Mother of Five". The passing of my mother-in-law was as bittersweet as it can get. She battled a significant health issue for several years before she returned home to our Heavenly Father.
The Mother-of-five is still as beautiful (if not more so) to me as the day I met her. I have never regretted my decision to join our lives together - nor would I change a moment of our lives together. She remains my BETTER half - and love her beyond conveyance.
#1 of 5
#1 of 5 is now in his 30's now. He has a (wonderful) significant other, and they live about 45 minutes from home. They are both hard workers (working long hours) - but both have similar interests that keep them very busy. #1 of 5 recently returned to school in order to complete his post-secondary education - and just last week was "headhunted" by a business within the industry he is studying. He interviewed and accepted an entry level position. We are all very excited to see where and how far he will take this.
#2 of 5
#2 of 5 (now in his upper 20's) completed college and earned a Bachelor's degree - which he quickly turned around and secured a position with the Federal Government. He too has a (wonderful) significant other - and they also live about 45 minutes away. #2 of 5 and his "significant other" decided to make things official - and now I get to call her my "future daughter-in-law". They have a BIG EVENT planned for spring 2025 - and we are all looking forward to the event and what that means for our family (and hers)!
#3 of 5
#3 of 5 (also in his upper 20's) went on and studied in the trades. He (like #1 of 5) was headhunted early by a business in his field of study - but eventually ended up with a different ("better") company. He has been very successful, and I truly enjoy hearing the stories he has from his "adventures" at work.
#3 of 5 also contributed a wonderful addition to our family. He brought in a delightful and quite talented young lady that I now get to call my daughter-in-law! They were married in 2023 and have purchased a house together - and live a whopping nine (9) whole minutes from our house.
And, if it sounds like things couldn't get any better in the #3 of 5 category - I'll just add that our whole family is just waiting for news that we are going to be grand parents, aunts, uncles, and even great grandparents! I anticipate an update from the expecting couple anytime in the next three weeks!!
Oh, and if you are wondering.... IT'S A BOY!!!
#4 of 5
#4 of 5 attended college (in state - but about 3 hours away) between 2019-2023, graduating in the spring of 2023. While in college, #4 of 5 also met (and brought into our family) a wonderful significant other. He is a quiet, but respectful young man - and I really like him.
After graduating, #4 of 5 obtained a wonderful position in her field - and enjoyed her first full year working in field she studied. Unfortunately, she came home one day (physically upset) and we learned that her position will not be extended a year due to budgetary limitations. Shortly thereafter she buckled down - and with the support (and recommendation) of several of her co-workers and upper management - was able to locate another position which she starts next month! We are all very excited to see where this new employment opportunity will take her!
#4 of 5's significant other has been out of state completing a employment contract. She has traveled to see him, and he has traveled home a few times as well. We have been fortunate enough to see him from time to time throughout his time away. We hope he will be home again by December of this year!
And, while #4 of 5 has been living at home since graduating - she will be leaving the nest very soon too. She has signed a lease and will be moving into a new apartment (about 35 minutes away) within the next three weeks!
#5 of 5
Last, but not least is #5 of 5. #5 is currently living at home. After high school she attended Community College and now Technical school studying dental sciences. She (seems to) enjoy working at a local convivence store while putting herself through college. She is also dating a very nice young man that both the Mother of Five and I like. We anticipate seeing her graduate from her program of study next year - and look forward to seeing what comes next for her.
= = = = =
I have really enjoyed dipping back into this medium. I have said it numerous times previous - but I really hope that I can continue this streak and spend a little more time here on "The Life of a Father of Five". I guess time will tell how successful (or not) that prediction may be.
Until next time...
nice to hear that everything has developed so well...greetings from germany
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