What I am reflecting?
This week, I was having a meeting over lunch. It was around 12 p.m., and I was discussing with my colleague some interesting findings and insights that we had stumbled upon.
We were using the whiteboard, drawing figures, charts, and mapping out new information that we discovered. We debated, discussed, and even came up with some solutions along the way.
Then somewhere around 12:45 to 1 p.m., right in the middle of our discussion, my phone rang. It was a WhatsApp video call from my daughter.
I told my colleague, “Wait, wait, give me a moment—I need to pick this up. It’s my daughter.”
Honestly, part of me didn’t want to pick up because I was in the flow of the discussion. But I thought she might keep calling again and again. And also, I just wanted to be nice and let her know that I’m currently in a meeting.
So I picked up the call and said, “Hey, wait…”
She was so happily shouting, “Hey Daddy! Hello Daddy! Hello Daddy! Hello Daddy!”
And I abruptly interrupted her, “Wait, wait, I’m in a meeting. I cannot talk to you now. I’ll call you back later.”
But she kept going, “Hello Daddy! Hello Daddy!”
At that moment, I just wanted to end the call quickly so I could continue my discussion. Normally, I would ask her, “Do you want to hang up?” or I would press the red button after she responds. I asked once or twice, but she didn’t respond.
I believe she was just running around in my parents’ house while calling me. I even imagined that she might have snatched the phone from my mom just to call me.
So I ended the call and went back to my discussion.
Later on, the thought came back to me. It just bubbled up in my mind.
What if she is calling me 20 years from now?
I would probably feel so excited just to receive a call from my daughter—especially if I don’t get to hear from her often. I would want to know what she’s doing, how she’s been.
And then I looked back and thought, wow… what I did just now—was it right?
Should I have taken a bit more time to be more present? To talk to her, ask her how she is doing, instead of rushing back to my meeting and work?
I don’t really know the perfect answer. But I do feel grateful. Out of all the things she could be doing, she chose to call me.
And it made me reflect on my own parents too. I realized I should spend more quality time with them while they are still here—not just time, but meaningful time. Talking to them, understanding what they are doing, being present with them.
Because as a parent, I know I would love it if my children did that for me.
And I believe my parents would feel the same way too.
So yeah… I truly appreciate that my children are healthy, happy, and still think about me.
Quote I’m pondering
“Winners quit all the time. They just quit the right stuff at the right time” – Seth Godin, “The Dip”
Affirmation I used
“Everything I need comes to me at the right time and place.”