A short monologue by Donald Burns reflecting on the personal and family sacrifices that accompany dedicating oneself to running a restaurant. Burns argues that owners often miss the present moments with spouses and children while pursuing a future legacy, questioning the value of material 'better life' if family relationships are neglected.
Let's talk about the real cost of being married to your restaurant. Think that they don't feel it? Trust me, they feel it. Your spouse is carrying the weight alone at home. Your kids are growing up with a ghost of a parent. While you're out there kind of trying to build that future, you're losing the present with the people who actually matter. You're telling yourself you're doing this to give them a better life. But what good is a better life if you're not in it? What's the point of building a legacy if your family's not by your side to share it?
If your restaurant only works because you work 80 hours a week, it doesn't work.
