Taking a Risk

In the natural it was a very stupid thing to do. Here I was, 50-something with the country beginning our slide towards a recession. I was climbing the ladder, great paycheck, lots of responsibility and credibility, was known throughout the organization - had it made. But in January 2008 I quit my job - without another one to go to. These last 17 months have been an interesting journey. I thought I found my spot with a large insurance company; they were going to hire me as soon as they got a certain contract. That contract didn't happen when it was supposed to. And by the time they did get the contract nearly a year later (1) I knew that organization was not a good fit for me; and (2) they had a bunch of internal people they needed to place. Thankfully, I had 14 months of nearly full-time consulting with them. But in early May that abruptly dried up. While I was going along, feeling very out-of-place, under-challenged and unfulfilled, the Lord was laying the way for something else.

In February of 2008 I spoke with the CEO and COO of a Denver-based dialysis company. I felt very good about our conversations and about the company. But nothing came of it because they had no position to offer me. Fast-forward to May 2009. The very week my consulting work dried up Hank, a former colleague I had not seen or spoken with for years, suddenly called me. He had seen the CEO mentioned above at a meeting and told him I was right in his backyard and would be an excellent employee. Perfect timing; perfect connection! Over the last few weeks I have been speaking with all the senior team and this week was offered a position!

This is amazing to me. Everything worked out in just the right time. This is an organization I will fit into perfectly and they were looking for someone with my exact skill set and background, including my recent stint in the insurance world. Even that was meant to be!

I am so jazzed! I will soon be back in the fast-paced environment I love - with all the challenges, responsibilities and opportunities that make work-life so exciting.

Was it worth the risk to walk away from the security and stability of a long-term position? You bet! Now, rather than the same-old, same-old for many more years, I have the opportunity for one more big exciting blast before entering retirement. Halleluiah!

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Flag Day

Happy Flag Day everyone! For most people Flag Day goes unnoticed. But I have special memories surrounding the day that I dwell on every Flag Day - and have for nearly 40 years. In June 1960 my mom, my great aunt Alma and I took the train to Tacoma, WA, to see my mom's parents and other miscellaneous relatives. The pictures above are from that trip. I was there on Flag Day. Everyone in the neighborhood had their flags flying, there were streamers and other decorations. Even firecrackers. Right before or after the picture on the top was taken (me, Grandma Sophie, Great Aunt Alma) a firecracker went off and startled the "old" ladies. I don't remember the taking of the picture on bottom (Grandpa Frank and me), but I'm sure glad I have it. It's the only one of the two of us. Grandpa made me feel special - everyday we would walk to the corner store and he would buy me a push-up for 5 cents. After they went up to 7 cents, though, he wouldn't get anymore for me. I think that was the last few days we were there. He also bought me a "sun umbrella" which I still have.

A Teenager in the House

It doesn't seem that long ago that I had three teen-aged daughters in our house. And when they grew up I was so relieved that part of my life was o-v-e-r. But, like childbirth, you soon forget how awful it was and remember the joyful times.

Well, we have a teen-ager in the house again. We invited Tori, age 13, to spend 5 weeks with us this summer. She arrived on Wednesday. She is definitely getting into the teen angst stuff and can be terribly annoying. But from the perspective of grandparents, it is much easier and much more fun than being the parent. She is pulling me out of my solitude and routine and adding, shall I say, "spice" to my life. I am really looking forward to the next few weeks. I hope together we can build memories that will last us both a lifetime.

Geriatrics

As those of you who read this probably know, my mom is in a nursing home. She is nearly 93. We had her quarterly care conference this past week and I attended by phone. Wouldn't you think that people who work in a nursing home would be experts in geriatric issues? It amazes me how much I have to advocate for Mom. Now, I'm not new to this; I spent many years working in a nursing home myself and I am an RN now. In all my years in healthcare I have been a strong patient advocate and did everything I could to make the experience as good as possible (whether NH or hospital). Why isn't everyone like that????

I'm not saying her care is bad; but there are things she has to deal with that are completely unnecessary for her to deal with. And don't they get it that she can't hear half of what they say? Sometimes I wish I were closer so I could keep on top of things better.

Calm down, Audrey......

Julia

Julia, almost 7, spent the night with us last night. Such a wonderful age! But I'm never sure what the kids are going to be willing to eat. For example, Cade (5) always liked mini-wheats for breakfast. So when he was here I offered him mini-wheats. "I can't eat mini-wheats anymore. They have 200 calories!" And he would not budge.

So this time, with Julia, I had meatloaf and baked potatoes. That little girl ate two helpings of meatloaf and two complete baked potatoes! I couldn't believe it! Then we went to the store to get some groceries. While there she started feeling sick to her stomach. Grandpa said it was probably all the potatoes she ate. "No," she said, "I only had two!"

Also, while at the store we picked up some breakfast sausages. Julia stated that she l-o-v-e-s sausages. So this morning, I drag myself out of bed (early), walk into the kitchen and Julia is sitting at the island. "What are you doing up so early?" I ask. "Waiting for my sausages", she says. Four sausages, two eggs and two glasses of orange juice later, she was ready for the day.

Biggest Influence

Several times during my life in the big corporate world, I would be required to attend things like personal growth seminars, team building events, and other miscellaneous "fun" events. From time to time the "coach" would ask me, "Who has had the biggest influence in your life?" I always answer the same; There were three, together, who had the biggest influence in my life.

I have included a couple pictures of these three people; my sisters. I was born into a ready-made environment conducive to love and acceptance. I had three teen-aged (or almost) sisters who, after having 4 brothers come after them, were tickled pink to have a little girl in the house. I firmly believe my sense of stability, self-acceptance, and "I can do anything" attitude is a direct result of the attention I received from my sisters in the early years of my life.

Actually, I shouldn't say "early years", as this has continued throughout my lifetime. I've always felt special around my sisters. Even though I am past the mid-century mark, I am still their little sister. They are a part of any success I have had (or will have) in life.

Thanks, Vivian, Sylvia and Evie, for molding me into the person I became. I realize this is a rare gift to be valued highly. I love you all! (ps - these pictures are in 1958 an 1953)