Squeezing an Hour Out of 10 Minutes

as told by Gee Sylvestri

My dad was hours upon hours working. He busted his ass to provide for a wife, four kids, and a house. He built the family trucking business from a couple of trucks to a fleet of about 20. His business didn’t allow him to just clock out at 5 p.m. It also meant he was not there for my football games, my baseball games or the soccer matches. Mom let us know he loved us even though he was not able to be there. And I got it, but still. . . 

I got married when I turned 30. Like for everyone, that was a new beginning, a starting over, in my awareness of how I wanted my family life to be. I was really thinking about what I thought was important, how I wanted to live my life. It was going to be family first. I thought about those games my dad had to miss, and I knew I’m not going to do that to my kids. I want my wife to be home raising our children. I don't want my children in daycare. To be able to do that you have to make a substantial six-figure income. 

So now I am faced with long hours working. I am ambitious like my dad. I always wanted to work in New York City where the real money can be made. I got my shot as a Crane Assemblymen and I took it. It is a niche job. And it is long hours and sometimes means going out of town. Because I always want to remember who matters in my life, what matters, I am making sure I put in the extra effort and time. The other day, before I went home, I went out of my way to get my wife her favorite ice cream, pistachio. After a day that starts at 4:30 a.m. that’s not easy, but I am thinking of her. I don’t want to just come into the house and say, “What’s for dinner?”

So, for me, it’s about making time for family even though it’s a struggle sometimes. Even though it feels like there is no time. It's about squeezing an hour out of the 10 minutes you do have.