Five months ago, I arrived at the hospital. My brother-in-law was looking out the window to my left. Tucked away in the shadows to the right, was my grandmother and two aunts. They arose from the darkness with waving hands and outstretched arms, gesturing for a hug. I acknowledged and walked up to the check-in desk.
“No, I haven’t been experiencing symptoms of Covid, I’m here to see my mother and yes I’ve been up to the room before.”
“Ok well there is a two-visitor max so we will have to call to confirm if you can go up”
“Ma’am the doctor called me and told me to come up here, all of my family is up there”
“I understand but we have to make sure with the charge nurse”
Serendipitously, my brother called to ask my location. I told him the situation, then the charge nurse yelled “put the front desk on the phone!”
After some frantic yet, low volume talking, the front desk handed my phone back and said, “We still have to check with the doc… sir! Sir! SIR! You can’t go up there!”
I was gone, and so was she. A fork in the road, the end of my mother’s days, and the beginning of mine as a faithful man.
Of course, I considered some of the consequences; getting thrown out of the hospital, jail, a ramped police chase through St. Vincent. Even a knee lodged in my back while I stare in disbelief yelling, “I Can’t Breathe”. But, none of that mattered. None of the accolades and success mattered either. Not the interviews, museums, high profile collectors, or business partners. Nothing mattered but being there with my mother as she took her last breath.
She raised me to always do the right thing in spite of. I didn’t always comply. Like the other two times she was in the hospital and I didn’t show up because I had to “grind” and keep pushing for my success. I mean c’mon, she prayed over me daily. Sacrificed her entire life to give me a life she never had. How selfish could I be? And for what? Cars? Attention? Money? Clothes? Is this what being a man has come to? I was behind the wheel, going nowhere, fast.
I thank God for giving me another chance. For meeting this fork in the road again. This time I took the road less travelled. The one that’s less illustrious. This time I got out the way and let God take the wheel. My mother’s prayers were answered!
Even with a lump in my throat, God took me on a long, quiet ride home. I made it just in time for dinner with my wife and kids. I showed up a better man that day. It took some time; my heart was broken but my spirit wasn’t. To me, leadership is about showing up as the man God called me to be. A man, who is supportive of his wife and present with his children. One who is accountable for his actions and accepts the responsibility of his impact on the world.
I believe there’s lessons and blessings to extract from everything in life. It’s easy to complain, but someone sacrificed for you to be here right now. Don’t take it for granted. You owe it to them to be the best version of yourself. Take the road less travelled, thank God even for the mishaps.
Elijah Norwood
Husband, Father, Entrepreneur
A Man IN Action
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