Here's the answer: 13 years. Craig's career pretty much 'grew up' working for the bank. Starting next week, that will change. Craig will be an employee of Southland Benefits Solutions.
The change comes after a couple of years of looking for a job here in town . . . well, sort of. He wasn't really actively looking. We were all just kind of keeping our eyes and ears open to any opportunities that might arise. A few things came here and there, but until now, nothing popped up that seemed to work out. So, starting next week, he'll be the new technical guru for Southland.
Most people know that Craig has been driving back and forth to Birmingham for the past several years with his work as a programmer for Regions. Its a trip that all of us probably make from time to time, either to shop or eat at a special restaurant, but could you imagine making that drive everyday? It's been a big source of inconvenience, car maintenance, and gas, not to mention just the thought of being an hour and 1/2 (almost) away from your family all day, every day. My nightmarish thoughts usually turned to, "What if an emergency happened and it took him that long to get home?"
Ok, so we're all happy Craig found a job in Tuscaloosa. We'll enjoy him being closer to home and having lunch picnics on our blanket in Capitol Park.
Screeeech . . .
What do you think about that last question I would occasionally think to myself? Yeah, the one about the emergency, getting home, etc. Let's say I asked you about the convenience of being WITH your family, all day everyday. And let's say I asked you, oh, I don't know . . . what if you WEREN'T with your family at any time of the day, everyday? Can most of you picture yourselves not seeing your family for months on end? What about knowing that your wife if about to deliver your first baby, and you know you can't be there? Not because you can't get there because you can't make it in an hour and 1/2, but because she's here safely tucked away in a hospital in the states, and you're stuck in a Humvee in Afghanistan. I mean, really . . . what does that feel like? What's it like to be the soldier, and what's it like to be the spouse, the kid, the parent . . . am I making my point?
So, here's the deal: while I'm in my home with my kids waiting on my hard-working husband to come home everyday, I'm gonna be a little more thankful. I'm also gonna be a little more appreciative to the sacrifice that a lot of people I know of make. The inspiration for this blog comes from a couple of Facebook friends, Ken and Mitzi Cockrell. She's the proud mama that stays home with three little boys, and Ken is the awesome soldier-man who loves his family, but makes that big sacrifice. There's also Robby Davis, who's another brave fighter that was away from his family for a year. I won't leave out Mike Little, who I know also came back from Afghanistan a couple of months ago to his new bride, Margaret. I could go on and on, but those of us who have never experienced this kind of employment have no idea what kinds of things these families deal with.
To all of you who do this for the rest of us, I send out my sincere appreciation and a big ol' 'THANK YOU'. You're all awesome, I mean, really . . . AWESOME.
Love,
: ) As always you made me smile! I was 8 hours away from many of my family members and I would miss them so much. Now that I am back a little closer I am grateful. Being a few hours away is so much better than 8, or a complete day. We should all be grateful to our soldiers for the sacrifice they and their families make every day.
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