The Dart: Father gets home just in time for holidays
Published 12:01 am Monday, December 22, 2014
Chris Geoghegan plays with his son Cullen, 6 months, as his wife Leah sits nearby during Geoghegan’s two week Christmas vacation from his job at the Dow Chemical plant in Freeport, Texas. Geoghegan is gone much of the year, so when he is home he tries to give Leah a break and spend as much time with Cullen and his stepson Ashton, 6, as possible. (Sam Gause | The Natchez Democrat)
By Olivia McClure
NATCHEZ — There’s no place like home for the holidays, and Chris Geoghegan made it just in time.
Chris Geoghegan cleans up his son Cullen, 6 months, after he spit up while feeding during Geoghegan’s two week Christmas vacation from his job at the Dow Chemical plant in Freeport, Texas. Geoghegan is gone much of the year, so when he is home he tries to give his wife Leah a break and spend as much time with Cullen and his stepson Ashton, 6, as possible. (Sam Gause | The Natchez Democrat)
When The Dart landed on Lindberg Avenue Friday, Geoghegan, who works at the Dow Chemical plant in Freeport, Texas, had arrived home in Natchez.
He’ll be in Natchez for two weeks, then gone again, possibly until the next holiday — Easter.
Geoghegan has been doing this for the past 10 years. Dow usually flies employees home at least every month or two and for holidays, he said. Sometimes, however, the timing isn’t perfect.
When Geoghegan’s wife, Leah, went into labor this summer, he was 15 hours away in North Carolina.
Now that Chris is home, he’s spending as much time as he can with Cullen, the Geoghegans’ now-6-month-old son. Leah also keeps him busy with household chores. By Saturday, Chris had already chopped a pile of firewood outside.
“It’s nice to have an extra set of hands at home,” Leah said. “I leave him a list of things to do.”
Chris said coming home gives Leah a break from looking after his stepson, 6-year-old Ashton, and Cullen.
Leah works at a radio station in Ferriday, so family members help her watch the children while Chris is gone. Still, “it’s chaotic … and it’s all new adjusting with the baby,” she said.
Chris Geoghegan watches the television show “Gold Rush” with his stepson Ashton, 6, during his two week Christmas vacation. (Sam Gause | The Natchez Democrat)
While Chris’ job keeps him away from his family much of the year, he and Leah keep in touch regularly.
“He’s up early in the mornings, and he’s my alarm clock,” Leah said.
Chris calls Leah every day at 5:30 a.m. while he’s driving to work, and they send text messages throughout the day.
Chris said he’s used to this kind of work now, but knows he misses out on special moments at home, especially since he and Leah got married two years ago.
“It was OK before I was married,” he said. “It ain’t that great now.”
Ashton, for example, has one of his first loose teeth and celebrated his sixth birthday a couple of weeks ago.
Leah said she envies Chris because he gets to travel to different places for work, but he’s always on their mind in Natchez.
“We miss him like crazy,” she said. “It’s just us three here.”
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