It's the Mornings that I'll Miss the Most

One of the favorite parts of my life right now are mornings with my little boy.  When he's in school, we still have a little time together before I send him on his way.  I cook him a hot breakfast and he watches TV, it's almost always a nice relaxing morning. 

Weekends are even better.  He never sleeps in on weekends.  Weekdays, he'll be sleeping so soundly I feel guilty waking him up.  Weekends?  He's bounding out of bed at the same hour, ready for the day.

One thing I love about my business is that the hours are flexible.  I still work, mostly in the role of financial controller, and I do provide strategic direction.  However, I don't need to be at my desk every day at 8:00.

Now I see why so many people would like a flexible work schedule.  I used to think they wanted it just to get out of work.  "Yeah, boss, I'll work from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. tonight... working on my sleep, that is."

Having a flexible schedule pretty much improves everything about your overall quality of life, especially when you've got little ones.

This is sort of a golden age in my life, and it's rapidly coming to an end.  In the Fall (August, really), I'll be starting law school, which means most mornings, I'll be heading off to class.  I am hoping by the grace of god that the classes don't start too early in the morning.

If I end up deploying to centcom, I think it's these mornings I'll remember most fondly.

In a way, I know this is a golden age that just can't last.  In fact, my life is fraying a bit around the edges as is.  Still, it's nice while it lasts.

A lot of folks in my shoes are really furious with our franchisor.  I've never really thought my franchisor was doing me wrong.  It's a business deal.  They agree to give you a business method.  A lot of the time, it worked.

Ultimately, I'm thankful to them because the past 6 years have absolutely flown.  The first year was exhausting.  The 2nd year got better.  Since then, my life has been pretty great, financies notwithstanding for the past couple of years.

If not for my involvement in this franchise system and being a small  business owner, I wouldn't have been able to be so involved with Logan's baseball team.  I wouldn't have had so much time with him.

After law school, it's possible I'll get a job in the law.  Once that happens, I'll be like everybody else.  I remember what it was like to have a job.  I know I will seldom be home before 7:00.  My time simply won't be my own anymore.

Small business is a wonderful way to live if you can make money at it.  I think most people would be so much happier running and owning their own little business.  It's a shame more people can't live their lives this way.