A day wasted?

By most measures of success, Charles Francis Adams was one of the most successful men in 19th century America. Born the son of President John Quincy Adams and the grandson of President John Adams, he became an influential lawyer, politician, diplomat and writer. Adams was elected to the Massachusetts legislature, the United States House of Representatives and was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as the Ambassador to Great Britain. As Ambassador to Great Britain, he played a major role in keeping the English from siding with the South during the Civil War. He returned to America as a hero.

With all of his outward successes, however, Adams appeared to struggle with his priorities. Like many men, he seemed to loose perspective of the importance of spending time with his children. This is evidenced by a rather obscure entry in his daily diary. One day he entered: "Went fishing with my son today--a day wasted." The son he referenced was his oldest child, Brook, who also kept a diary, which is still in existence. On that same day, Brook Adams made this entry: "Went fishing with my father--the most wonderful day of my life!"

What a contrast in how father and son viewed the day they spent together. How ironic that what the father viewed as a waste of time, the son saw as an investment of time. Never underestimate the importance of spending time with your children and grandchildren. Your time is one of the most valuable gifts you can give them. Investing time in people you love will result in lifelong dividends of love and affection. Come join us this Sunday as we learn together how to balance these two worlds of work and home.

Shoulder to shoulder,

Gregg