Another Chapter Ending
Well, another year and another of chapter of my life is coming to an end.
After much thought and contemplation I chose to give my notice on Tuesday, and December 30th will be the last day of my job. I have to use the word “job” very lightly, because for the past 2 1/2 years it has been so much more than a job for me.
Almost three years ago, I met two very amazing young men who had a vision. They, and their vision changed my life. I hate to use the word “job” to describe this experience that I have had, because it has been just that, an experience. Sure, it paid the bills, but in reality it did so much more than that for me. For the first time in a very long time I felt like I was doing something important, helping two men start their business, and helping people out of some very hard situations in having to short sell their home. Then they became my family, they became my brothers. Then we grew, and my family grew. I have had the privilege to share a large percentage of my life for the past 2 1/2 years with the most amazing people. Kevin and Fred have had an indescribable impact on my life and the only thing I can say is that I love them more than I thought I could. But its not just Kevin and Fred, but the people who joined us throughout the years.
Brian was my baby brother, and watching him grow in his music career has made me beyond proud. Jamie, well, Jamie is my mini me, and I love her more and more every day. Stephanie had the opportunity to start her career in the field she loves and she surprises me daily. Andrew, though he has moved on to other things, is wise beyond his years and I miss our philosophical discussions. Every one on our sales team stepped out of their comfort zone and excelled, and I’m so proud. Keith and Angie, who became my brother and sister in-law. David was, is and always will be my sunshine. And though I have said it before, I will forever wish God made more people like him.
Then there are the other people in the Keller Williams Arizona Realty office, who although not on my team have had an amazing impact on my life. Steph, who has often been my sounding board. Kathie B. who I share a great spiritual bond with. Kathy C, who lights up my day as soon as I see her absolutely amazing smile. Bob S. who takes my breath away every time I see his beautiful blue eyes. Mac, who I have had some amazing conversations with, and who is one of the few people I am on the same level with spiritually and politically. Jessica, who is freakin amazing, and a blast to be with, and who I have so much in common with. Betty, who shares my love of baking. Bret, who chose to push through and make it in Real Estate. Eliot, who allows me to call him out on all his silliness and even appreciates it. Ted, who brings me back to the east coast every time he opens his mouth. Derrik, who gets me, and is one of the only people in the world who not only sees through me, but calls me out on my crap when few other people aren’t afraid to do that. Cameron, who has unknowingly taught me to let down my guard, who has quickly become one of my closest friends and who never fails to make me laugh. I could never every express to each and every one of you how much I absolutely LOVE and appreciate you. And everyone else in that office, who I have built amazing bonds with, which I will never let go of.
I am truly blessed. Blessed by the things that I have learned, by the people who have come into my life, and by the experiences I have had.
While I thought I would be there forever, and while it was one of the hardest things I have ever done in my adult life, I do know that it is just the end of another chapter, and that a new one is about to begin.
This is a bitter-sweet time, filled with sadness, anxiety, stress, excitement, joy and anticipation of what is next.
This book I call my life has been everything from scary to fun, happy to sad, tragic to comedic, and aside from the loss of my mother, I wouldn’t take any of it back. I am who I am because of, the experiences and the “mistakes”, the people who have come and gone, and each and every one of the chapters. As I turn the page on this on this one, I can only pray that I have had just a little impact on the lives of all of the people who have so deeply touched and impacted me.
What is it about these holidays?
As I sat down to right this I realized I had absolutely no idea what I was going to write about. Then, I decided that since Thanksgiving is coming up, I should write about gratitude.
Sometimes I get frustrated that often it takes Thanksgiving for many people to express their gratitude, and I think that’s a shame. It’s similar to Veterans’ Day, while I think it’s great that Veteran’s Day is a holiday, why does it take that one day for people to thank the people who have served our country? Shouldn’t we be thanking them every day? They fight every day….and every night.
Anyway, I digress… back to Thanksgiving. It started a few days ago….people posting on their Facebook statuses all the things they are grateful for, and again, I am not criticizing people for showing or expressing their gratitude. However, I do think it’s kind of a shame that it takes a holiday for people to express gratitude.
According to Wikipedia Thanksgiving is:
“Thanksgiving Day, known informally as “Turkey Day,” is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Thanksgiving was a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude, and appreciation to God, family and friends for which all have been blessed of material possessions and relationships. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest.”
So, to clarify, I am not discounting Thanksgiving nor the idea behind it. However, is showing appreciation to God, Family and Friends one day a year really sufficient? Do we really need a holiday to drop to your knees and thank God (or whatever/whoever you believe in) for our MANY blessings. Because really, isn’t just waking up in the morning a blessing? Is thanking our family for supporting us throughout our life, on one day really enough? Is thanking our friends once a year for being our designated driver, or our shoulder to cry on the best that we can do? Have we become so wrapped up in our own life, and things that we have forgotten that we have someone to be grateful to for providing us with our life and the things that we have? Why is it that it takes the holiday season to say “Thank You” to someone for opening the door for you? Do we really need to be in the holiday spirit to hold the door open? Come on… And how about looking at ourself in the mirror and saying thank you? As a society, we don’t just take other people or possessions for granted, we take ourselves for granted to. We take our bodies, which most of us abuse on a daily basis, for granted more than anything. We feed them with alcohol, drugs, processed foods and chemicals, yet we don’t think about everything our bodies do for us…our heart beating for example.
I bet if we closed our eyes and thought about it we could very quickly think of 10 things we are grateful for EVERY day of the year. In the spirit of that challenge here are 10 things I am grateful for TODAY.
1. Waking up this morning
2. My cat and dog for showing me love by being cuddled up with me when I woke up this morning.d
3. The beautiful sunrise
4. The cooler weather
5. The hundreds of birds in the tree in front of my neighbors house that I hear every morning as I am getting in my car.
6. My starbucks friends for having started both mine and Kevin’s drinks so they were ready to go by the time I paid.
7. David Baird giving me a note that said I am appreciated
8. Derrik coming into my office at 4:07 and asking me what I was still doing at the office (which reminded me to leave)
9. Fred challenging me on my way of thinking.
10. Archangel Michael for helping me to maintain my positive energy (and Jamie’s too!)
11. My home, because every time I walk in the door I feel happy and blessed.
12. Jax for greeting me at the door and climbing up my leg to say hello.
13. Reese for laying on her back and giving me her belly.
Ok, well that’s 13, whatever. The point is, that if every day, we could just slow down and take 5 minutes to reflect on what we are really grateful for, I think we would be that much more grateful EVERY day.
“Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living!”
“When you are grateful fear disappears and abundance appears”
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”
Happy Birthday Derrik
This morning I am writing an unscheduled blog for my friend Derrik. I want to wish him a very happy 23rd birthday!
I am huge on birthdays, I think they are more important than most. Some people see it as another day older, or just another day, or that they’re getting old. I see it as a day to be thankful that you were born. Thankful to God for allowing your parents to give you life. It’s also a day to celebrate your life, not only the life that you have lived so far, but all the life you have left to live!
So today, Derrik, I would like to acknowledge that when I first met you I thought you were going to be a little punk a$$hole. And I’m not going to lie, you are…. but you are SO much more than that, and I hope you know that I adore you and I’m so grateful to have met you. I appreciate your friendship, and the issues that you have supported me through and given me advice on. (Of course I also appreciate that you are a fellow Virgo!)
I am grateful that you were born, and brought into my life. I am grateful to your parents for raising a damn good guy. This year will be a great year for you. I wish you for you happiness and the opportunity for you to find yourself.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOUNGIN!!!!!!!
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