Tomorrow I officially start back to work. My sabbatical has been just what I needed – I feel rested and revived and ready to go. What a great gift to have 30 days off. I am so grateful to work for such a wonderful company and with so many wonderful people. While this time off has been great I have really missed my DIG family and can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow.
Thank you Kris and the Board of Directors!!
It’s hard to believe that my sabbatical is almost over it has gone by so quickly. This past week has been extremely restful and slow-paced. I’ve spent lots of time with Jeff, completed a few home projects and finished a book called Visioneering by Andy Stanley. This book was a perfect follow up from our recent management conference. The book is essentially about discovering your personal vision and is written around the story of Nehemiah and his vision to rebuild Jerusalem. Over and over throughout the book Andy Stanley repeats the phrase that a vision is something that “could be” but most importantly “should be”. I can’t say that I have discovered what my personal vision is yet, but I am leaving myself open to whatever God puts on my heart. This week I have also had a chance to attend some of my grandchildren’s sporting events – it was baseball on Monday, tonight its football and Saturday its soccer. Kids sure are busy these days!
Got back late yesterday from Wichita, KS where my mom lives. She is on her third bout of cancer and last November she had to have emergency surgery for a ruptured colon that has taken her a long time to recover from. The last time I saw her was Mothers’ Day weekend and that visit was a little troubling as it seemed like she had lost her desire to fight so I was anxious about this trip. Mom has always been very independent. She is very quiet and to herself and has a hard time letting people in especially when it comes to personal issues like her health. We talk at least twice a week and I usually visit at least two or three times a year. The most frustrating thing is I always feel like there is nothing I can do to help.
This trip was just what I needed and I believe it was what Mom needed too. She really opened up to me and we had some deep conversations like “why do bad things happen to good people”- that’s a tough one. She had made so much progress since the last time I saw her and I am thankful that she has her fight back again! I am grateful for my stepdad – he has always been like a father to me and he takes really good care of my mother.
We all take so much for granted – most of all our health. I realized how blessed I am at my age to still do the things that I can do physically. I also realized how blessed I am to still have my mother in my life. She is the strongest woman I know and I love her very much!
My sabbatical began so abruptly I didn’t even arrange for a send off. While I had some ideas as to what I would do nothing was really set in stone except a weekend getaway with Jeff. The last day of our annual Management Conference, in my mind and my heart, everything came together – I’m to be still and listen. So I’ve been very intent on slowing down and listening. I haven’t been in a hurry to go anywhere or do anything and I’ve been focusing on counting my blessings and boy do I have a lot of them to count!
One of my many blessings is my husband Jeff. I realized that I’ve really neglected our relationship so first on the agenda was spending quality time with no distractions. We took a few days away from the real world and went to Las Vegas! We slept late – no alarms to set and we just enjoyed each other’s company. My favorite thing in Vegas is the shows so we went to see Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson One By Cirque Du Soleil. My favorite was Bruno Mars. What a fantastic performance – we were on our feet the whole time. We ate some great food, shopped (okay my second favorite thing in Vegas is the shows) and laid by the pool. Jeff is always so supportive of me and telling be how proud he is of me and I realized that I don’t tell him often enough how proud I am of him. He has really done a remarkable job with the Skatin Place – he loves the kids and the fact that we can provide a safe environment for them on the weekends. He is loving and kind and would do anything for a friend.
It’s hard to be away from FD – not just because I love my job but I love what we stand for and I love the people. That’s why I had to come to the warehouse to help pack the backpacks going to Houston. I realized how much I already missed everyone. I watched the others at work and I got really emotional – we have such wonderful people at FD! Another huge blessing in my life!
Today I’m going to meet Pat Baxter for lunch. I’m anxious to hear all about retired life. I know Pat realizes how hard it is to be away for our company – she was in the warehouse yesterday too! Sunday I leave for Wichita, KS to spend a week with my mother. She is going through her 3rd bought of cancer and I’ve really been concerned for her. My sister will join me for a few days so it will be really great to spend time with both of them.