International mobility has been Michael Maberry Jr’s career, and he’s enjoyed moving executives and their families from one locale to another. A reward has been finding ways to make their families feel comfortable when they settle in the new city.
It was on a trip he took himself last year that caused Michael, our Lead Dad of the Week from Danbury, CT, to appreciate what he has. Originally from Mississippi, Michael went with his wife; son, 16; and daughter, 12; to visit family. Everyone had been looking forward to the trip. He had too, but when they were leaving he didn’t feel great and the feeling got worse as the days went on.
After leaving church one afternoon, he told his wife he could barely breathe. They went to the emergency room, and the doctor told him it was amazing that he was alive. He had 13 blood clots in his lungs and one clot a centimeter away from his heart.
But this isn’t a story about that moment triggering an awakening. Michael was already an involved father. He wanted to get well and keep living for his family, for sure. But this isn’t a story of regret; it’s one of recognizing what he had and what needed to be done.
“I was grateful to have the opportunity to work from home and be present,” he said. “I come from a split household. My dad wasn’t that present. I’m so grateful to be able to do that.”
That could mean taking his son to track practice or to volunteer with animals – he’s already taking veterinarian classes at college while in high school – or being there to listen to his daughter sing or watch her play volleyball.
And unlike in his day job, where he’s moving people all around the world, he’s happy to be where he is. “We try not to let work overshadow parenthood,” he said. “We have church. I’m an ordained deacon in the church. My wife is a missionary. Faith drives me to do whatever I want to do.”
Still, a health scare like he had has only reaffirmed his commitment to being a Lead Dad. “I don’t take anything for granted any more,” he said. “I try not to stress out about work anymore. I was telling my boss that I think I’m the calmest I’ve ever been in my career.”
Welcome, Michael, to The Company of Dads!
