Daughter Is Ashamed Of Her Father Because He Is a Janitor – Story of the Day

For some, money and status are the most important things in life, while others are willing to sacrifice everything for their family.

An ambitious young woman is ashamed to admit that her father is a janitor in the company she wants to join, but she finds out some things about him that she never knew.

Dana Swan was bright, beautiful, and very ambitious. She knew what she wanted in life, and as far as Dana was concerned, everything she wanted to be was the opposite of her father, George.

George Swan worked as a janitor in a prestigious firm, and Dana was applying for a position as PR Manager in the same company. Dana was afraid being the janitor's daughter would spoil her chances, and she wanted to keep their connection secret.

While she waited nervously for the CEO for her final interview, Dana saw to her horror her father walk into the conference room, smiling happily. She gasped: "Dad! What are you doing here? Get out."

George smiled lovingly. "I just wanted to wish my best girl good luck!"

Dana snapped back: "Well, having the CEO know my dad is his janitor won't improve my luck or my chances."

"I'm not ashamed of what I do, Dana," George said quietly. "Any job you do to put food on the table for your family has dignity."

"Well, I don't see any dignity in what you do! And neither did mom, or she wouldn't have left you!"

"You're wrong about your mother, Dana..."

"Now is not the time for your excuses, dad! Just get out," cried Dana, "You're making me nervous."

George turned his back and walked towards the door, shaking his head sadly, just as the company's CEO, Phil Laramie, walked in. "Hey George," the CEO greeted George respectfully and with an affectionate smile.

Then he turned to Dana and introduced himself. He seated himself opposite her at the conference table and scrutinized her CV. "Dana Swan...You wouldn't be related to George Swan, by any chance."

Dana squirmed with embarrassment. "Yes, he's my father...But you will discover that we are very different. I'm very ambitious; I'm prepared to work hard to get ahead. In that, I take after my mother."

The CEO sat back and stared at Dana in astonishment. "I see you don't know anything about your father, Dana."

Dana smiled. "I know all about my father..."

"Your father was this company's lead product developer for over 15 years. He was headhunted by the top companies in New York and London, but he chose to remain with us. He has one of the most brilliant minds I've ever worked with."

"My father?" gasped Dana.

"Your father gave up his career when your mother left. He couldn't work 16 hour days as an executive and raise a baby, so he gave it all up. Took a menial job that allowed him to be a full-time dad."

Dana walked out of the interview with her head spinning and went looking for her father. "Dad! I got the job!"

George looked at his daughter with a serious expression on his face. "That's wonderful, Dana."

"Arent you happy for me, dad? I'm sorry about before...The CEO told me you gave up a brilliant career for me..."

"Success and status can be deceiving, Dana, and sometimes people aren't ready."

"Come on, dad, I'm ready! I can handle the challenge and the responsibility."

"Yes," said George, "That you can, but be sure you understand what that success can cost. Before you were born, I was offered a position in the world's leading firm as head of their Product Development Division, but I turned it down."

"Why, dad?" asked Dana.

"I wanted you to grow up here, surrounded by family. But your mother saw an opportunity for her own advancement. You were six weeks old when she left. She accepted that position in Japan. She chose her career over family."

Dana's eyes filled with tears. "So you gave up your own career to be mother and father to me..."

George hugged Dana. "I didn't give up anything, Dana, nothing that mattered, anyway."

Ten years later, Dana Swan was the youngest CEO in the company's history. She had been nominated by Phil Laramie when he retired. Phil had recognized in Dana the same talent that had made George a star in his field.

But Dana's youth wasn't a handicap because working alongside her as the company's official consultant was the world-famous, brilliant George Swan. George was a great asset to the company, and Dana was justly proud of her kind, humble dad.

What have we learned from George and Dana's story?

1. All work is valuable. George went from being one of the company's top executives to be the janitor, but to him, the work was equally valuable and dignified because it put food on the table for his family.

2. Family comes before ambition. George's wife was willing to abandon her six-week-old daughter for the chance of advancement, while George gave it all up so he could be there for his daughter.

3. There are two sides to every story. Dana believed her father was weak and unambitious, and her mother was her role model until she learned the truth about the choices each had made.

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Any resemblance in this story to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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