Something I wish my teenage self knew

Chad Byers
Jul 10, 2017 · 2 min read

I used to live in New York City. Although I preferred the subway or a Citibike to a taxi, sometimes they are unavoidable.

On a recent trip back to New York City, I found myself at JFK Airport at 11pm. I grabbed a taxi and headed into the city.

I usually am not a big talker — I don’t typically engage strangers in conversation. However today I was feeling chatty, having just spent six hours on a flight from SF. Being as it was 11pm, I asked the driver how his night was going and how much longer he had on his shift.

“It’s going alright, just another five hours to get through”, he replied in an accent that I recognized.


I am fascinated and impressed by people that work a night shift. There is something about showing up to work and putting in long hours when the majority of people and society are breathless that I find fascinating. It takes a certain kind of person to be able to do that — but I’m not quite sure what kind.


As I began to make small talk with my driver I learned a tremendous amount about him. Abasi was from Kenya. He emigrated to America thirteen years ago to raise his family. He is a Mets fan; he doesn’t care for American Football. His favorite food is pizza. His daughter, Reem, was three years old when they arrived in New York City.

After discussing other topics such as Soccer, Mayor Bloomberg, and the Economy, three subjects in which Abasi knew more about than me, the conversation dozed off as we neared the city.


A phone rang. Abasi picked up his phone and it was quiet enough in the car that I could hear the voice on the other end. It was Reem, his daughter.

It was clear she was mad about something. Frustrated that he wasn’t home to talk about it. Then she hung up on him. He let out a big sigh.

She reminded me of me as a teenager. Often oblivious to the sacrifices that all parents make in order to provide the best life they can for their children.

I picked up the phone and called my parents to tell them THANK YOU.

Chad Byers

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