Athena 10 - No Family Hierarchy

Sunday morning.

Today is family breakfast day.

When Athena wakes up,

she feels slightly anxious.

And excited at the same time.

She asks Victor to accompany her

on the morning walk.

Victor senses Athena’s desire
to go out

and joins her.

It is a beautiful day.

Early morning sun shining

through the trees in the park.

They walk mostly in silence.

They feel together.

All is good.

We go step by step,
Athena thinks.

And she decides

what will be most important

is for her to listen.

To Julia.

And to Maynard.

…

Last Wednesday, during dinner,

they agreed they would talk about

what each one feels
and thinks about:

How they want the family to be.

How they want it to feel.

How they want it to function

in three months’ time.

What would be different from now.

What they would be doing more of.

And what they would do less of.

And which steps could be taken.

…

Maynard thought it was a lot.

Julia was enthusiastic.

…

When Athena and Victor
return home,

a big surprise awaits them.

Julia is setting the table.

Maynard has just come back

from the bakery

with fresh bread and croissants.

Fresh juice is on the table.

With a big smile,

Julia says:

“Come, sit down.

Let’s have breakfast.

And talk.”

…

Victor prepares eggs.

He makes fresh coffee.

Athena feels light.

She looks at her family

and thinks:

I will make this work.

…

“Mom,” Julia starts,

“Maynard and I have spoken

a lot with each other

about what we would bring
to the table today.”

Athena smiles
and stays quiet.

She looks at Victor.

And wonders

if he knows what is coming.

…

Julia continues.

“We thought we would first select

what we find most important.”

“And that is?” Victor asks.

Maynard jumps in,

making a clear statement.

“We do not want
to be treated as children.”

…

Silence fills the room.

…

Athena decides not to react.

She takes a deep breath.

She stays quiet.

Like Victor.

Then…

Julia continues.

“Let me explain.

You and Dad are, of course,

so much more experienced

than we are.

Yet… we do not think

your voice should be

more important than ours.

The four of us

should have an equal say.”

…

Julia pauses.

Looks at Maynard.

Then continues.

“We know we will have disagreements.

Maybe often.”

She smiles.

“Then we talk.

And talk more.

The four of us.

With an equal say.

We will come
to the best solution.”

…

Wow, Athena thinks.

She looks at her children.

She feels very grateful.

Then she asks Victor:

“How do you look at this?”

“I believe they are right.

It is not because we are the parents

that we always know better.

The way Julia phrased it…

there should be no hierarchy.”

Victor continues.

“This means you and I

need to change.

A lot.

Yet… we should.”

…

Athena extends her hands.

They form a circle again.

Like last Wednesday.

“Thank you, Julia.

Thank you, Maynard.

I agree.

But you will need to help me.

There will definitely be moments

when I decide
and control too much.

And then…

you have to call me to order.”

“Oh yes!”

Julia and Maynard exclaim,

smiling.

…

“Ah… and Mom,” Julia says,

“we suggest we continue

next Sunday

with the 90 days
and the steps.”

…

After breakfast,

Athena and Victor sit outside.

The birds are singing.

It is a beautiful—

and important—day.

Athena’s thoughts go then

to her work.

She is looking forward

to talking to Mary tomorrow.

To talk to her about

no family hierarchy.

Athena looks at Victor

and asks:

“Would this be the same

in the company?

No hierarchy…”

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