I have my job. A good job. I have a family. A great family. I have hobbies. Even ones that include making frosty adult beverages! I love to cook (former chef who went to culinary school) and travel. I have great friends both within and out of Scouting. (Hard to believe, eh?) Oh, and I love MUSIC. A LOT! Seen CSYN about 16-17 times. Lots of local bands. Blues, Rock, Country, Classical, Punk…you get the idea. The local bands are awesome. I got to sing on a CD with one, play roadie with most of them, meet famous people too. My first job that I really wanted as a kid was to be a Roadie. Man, that would have been fun. I wonder if there are Roadies who are Eagle Scouts?
I have a lot of interests. The current one is Scouting. To many of us, you and me, it’s a passion. If our spouse is a Scouter, it’s a tad easier. If not, but understand our passion it’s easier. However, if they do not understand….it’s hard.
Now, I am the type of guy who get’s hyer focused on one thing and just goes for it. I put my pants on Two Legs at a time! So, now I am three years into this Scouting life. I got into it for my son. It’s my way of spending time with him. But, has it taken over?
At sometimes, yes. Very much so. If you follow me on my twitter feed, you will see that I tweet from Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Northern California and Washington State. I go everywhere. Soon, I will be going to Anchorage and Fairbanks. I just got home from Maui and Leesburg, VA. The latter for work.
This takes me a way from home a lot. While who I work for and what I do really does not matter, I like my job and the people I get to see. My job allows me to travel by myself and see great places. However, it takes me away from my family.
I am pretty aware of my time away. I am not sure how others do it. It’s tough. It’s even hard being home sometimes.
While I know that my wife puts up with it, she does not really like it. She knows that it’s my job that keeps a roof over our head and food on the table. I really do admire her at what she does. Works part time, PTA President, Glass Bead Designer and does everything in/around the house. For this, I am incredibly grateful. I know I could do more when I am home.
Because of this, I am always interested in how other husbands or wives do what they do if they travel. Even if they don’t. How do they spent their time sharing eachother’s passion. My wife really has no desire in Scouting. She supports it and knows it’s important to me. However, it’s not Scouter, Work, Family, Wife type of order. To me, it’s Family, Work, Scouting. But, my Scouting habit sometimes gets to the front of the line.
I have made a committment to her that I would not take on anymore Scouting activities that I would be the focal of. Woodbadge is it for the year. Yes there are Pack activites and Summercamp. Those are normal. But, getting pulled away from the family is not an option.
I have a few commitments within Scouting that I will see through to their end. Those are soon. But, I will not take on anymore.
I say this because I have seen recently on twitter people who have resurfaced only to say that life forced them out of Scouting. Wake-up call to me. Scouting is a wonderful movement and the people I have met are now turning into Friends. Yes, I do want to visit your area. Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Indiana, New York and many others. Don’t worry, I have a tent and a Jet Boil. I will only need your bathroom for showering….;)
Overall, in your Scouting life, make more room for Family Life. You won’t get a patch or medal around your neck. You will get a family who loves you and more memories than you can count. Everything in moderation.
I love my family. Both the Real ones and Scouting.
