Sounds like Gene needs to take care of himself.
Agreed, but he's one of us wise ass tough as nails types.
I joke with him, what with him having been a Marine and me Navy. Tell him I'm pulling a boss card on him, sending him home at 2 when I come in. He'd stay and keep going otherwise. And it's real clear to see he's spent and then some by then.
He is all for "his kids". I respect and appreciate that. For myself, it is "honest work for honest pay" and decent enough pay + benefits. Where the two meet is he's become something which I've never experienced before to such an extent, a benevolent mentor, a good Shepard.
I don't mean that with any religious intonations, though, they will come through. I'm Agnostic but listen as he speaks of the Good Book. I can respect that because he respects my view and tells me time and again, "I'm not saying what you need to do." He is reminding me of stuff from my upbringing. But, we go on and work together as a team.
So he might do it for "his kids", I'll do it for the pay and also because Gene is my bud, on a mission/duty. We may not see directly eye to eye on all things, but that doesn't matter, we agree the kids need to see an example of people that care. And that has to sink into them, so they carry hope forward.
What sank it. Gene reminded me of and completed an expression my Papa John told me singularly. "You don't do it for anyone else. No, never. You do it for yourself, prove to you that you can. Then, go do for others, help. But you better know you can, better do for you so you can help."
Gene brought that up, then explained the whole context and meaning of it with me. He told me that I knew it already, he had seen it. Then, he said I needed to be reminded and being in such a way was not selfish but smart. "You cannot help others, if you cannot first help yourself."
Hmm, guess I need to give him some humble pie. *chuckles*
ETA: Alright you sappy types, I'll admit yeah, part of it is the kids for me too.