When No One is Watching

“My mind remained very active while consuming pie and my thoughts on loyalty were on marriage and family relationships with a life story coming to mind,” said Opa.
“In the fall of 1973, the president of the company I worked for requested that I travel with him to the Netherlands to assist with an important negotiation. Richard worked out of the world headquarters in New York City and I was at the chemical plant in Denver. The trip was scheduled for early November and since your birth, Luke, was predicted for the end of November, timing seemed acceptable.
Much to Oma’s and my surprise, you decided to arrive about three and a half weeks early. Oma called me about two days before my flight to New York with a connection to Amsterdam saying it was time. Before leaving for home, I called Richard and told him that Oma needed me as you were on your way.
He immediately said, ‘you cannot cancel this business trip, it is much too important.’
I replied with an apology and stated, ‘The birth of my child is more important to me than anything else at this time.’
He curtly replied with, ‘You need to again think this over as your job may be on the line.’
I did not stop to think and reactively replied with, ‘You can fire me right now, but I am leaving for home and the hospital since this is of utmost importance to me, and my wife is waiting.’
After your birth, you and Oma stayed in the hospital a couple of days for Oma’s recovery from the emergency caesarian section procedure and since you were early they wanted to continue observation.
Upon returning to work, I immediately called Richard.
My first words were, ‘The baby is a healthy boy even though he was three and a half weeks early,’
His only response was, ‘The trip has been rescheduled for next week.’
We did not talk during the next week, he sent the airline tickets via mail no online booking and ticketing, no fax, no email, no cell phones. Wow a lot of changes in the past 43 years.
The day of departure arrived and I packed my bags for the seven day trip and kissed Oma and you goodbye. Oma was still hurting from the incision so Grandma Ann checked often on you both while I was gone.
I arrived at JFK airport in New York City around seven p.m. and found my way to the international terminal and the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines check in area which was my rendezvous point with Richard. He was there waiting in line. I walked up with a smile and outstretched hand. He shook my hand and grunted a ‘Hello.’ He spoke with a German accent so it sounded a bit harsh, which may have been his intention.
I thought to myself, this is going to be a long seven days, here I am, so ‘cowboy up’ and make the best of it. The character trait of attitude became active.
He did not speak during our bag check in, boarding process, and seating. After takeoff he put on eye covering and ear plugs and appeared to be sleeping.
I was reading when about two hours into the flight he grabbed my arm. I thought he was dreaming. I looked at him, his eye covering was on his forehead and tears were streaming down his face.
I blurted out, ‘Richard are you okay?’
He replied with, ‘My respect for you is of the highest order. When I was your age, my decision was work first, family second. Both my son and daughter were born while I was away. My wife has never forgiven me, nor have my children, as I continued to be away most of their growing up years.’
He continued, ‘You will not have to live with that. You made the best decision and put your priorities in the correct order.”
I responded by saying, ‘Thank you Richard that is a huge encouragement to me. My loyalty to family is and always will be the top priority.’
We accomplished a great deal during our meetings and negotiations with the Dutch company and arrived at a mutually beneficial operating agreement.
At 28 years of age, I was thankful for living my character trait of loyalty and that it was directed to my family.”