The Adventures of Lee The SME Owner - 33.
Chapter Thirty Three - Living The Dream
Lee leaned back in his chair, the sun warming his face as he sat outside a quiet café in a picturesque Italian village. Julie was inside, chatting with the owner in her best attempt at Italian, and Lee couldn't help but smile. He'd always imagined trips like this—wandering through Europe with no real schedule, just enjoying the sights, the food, and the company. Yet for most of his life, it had seemed like a distant dream, something other people did. Now, here he was, living it.
A year ago, stepping back from the business had felt like an impossible task. He had been so immersed in the day-to-day, convinced that everything depended on him. But with John’s guidance and support, Lee had gradually learned to let go. It hadn’t been easy—old habits die hard—but it had been worth it.
Their European adventure had been everything he and Julie had hoped for. They had strolled through the streets of Paris, marvelled at the ruins in Rome, and even taken a cooking class in Tuscany where Lee discovered he had a knack for making pasta. Julie, of course, had been delighted. They laughed more than they had in years, and for the first time in a long time, Lee wasn't constantly checking his emails.
But it wasn’t just about travel. When they returned home, Lee found himself embracing life in ways he had never thought possible. He took the grandkids away in the motorhome, something he'd always promised but never followed through on. They camped by lakes, toasted marshmallows, and Lee even let them take the wheel (only in the safest of places, of course). Hearing their laughter and seeing their excitement reminded him of how much he'd missed out on over the years—but now, he had all the time in the world.
He reconnected with his old mates too, hitting the golf course and dusting off his fishing gear. There were a few rusty swings and tangled lines, but the camaraderie was still there, and it felt like slipping into an old, comfortable pair of shoes. They swapped stories, exaggerated their fishing tales, and laughed about the good old days. Lee realised how much he'd let these friendships drift, but he was determined to make up for lost time.
His kids had started calling him for advice more often, and instead of feeling burdened, Lee found he genuinely enjoyed helping out. Susie wanted to expand her HR consulting business, and Lee was more than happy to lend a hand with strategy and planning. Glenn, to his surprise, was showing a newfound interest in finally getting his act together, and Lee took things slow, offering gentle guidance without pushing too hard.
Then there were the simpler pleasures. Sitting in the sun with a good book, something Lee had never really had the patience for before. Now, he devoured novels, history books, even the occasional thriller. He found it strangely satisfying to spend an afternoon doing nothing more than turning pages and sipping coffee.
Looking back, he realised how far he had come. He used to think stepping back meant losing his identity, but now he understood it had given him the freedom to rediscover who he was beyond the business. He had a life outside of work, and it was richer and fuller than he had ever imagined.
Of course, the transition hadn’t been without its struggles. There had been moments of doubt, times when he wondered if he had made the right decision, and days when he missed the thrill of running the company. But with good support and advice, he had found his way through. John had been right all along—this wasn’t about walking away; it was about moving forward.
Sitting in the sun, feeling the warmth on his skin, Lee realised he was exactly where he wanted to be. Relaxed, content, and finally, truly happy.
He lifted his cup to take a sip, glancing over at Julie who was now waving him inside, a beaming smile on her face. With a deep breath, Lee stood up, stretching his legs and strolling into the café, feeling nothing but gratitude for the life he never thought he would get to live.