Why So Quiet?
June 13th, 2007 by rsm
I’ve been holding a lot of cards close for a while, obviously, about this decision and been keeping my own counsel in spite of all the blogfodder. (stories forthcoming.)
Part of the reason is that there are things to work out at the regular job, things that were not going well in spite of my performance and the hundreds of thousands of dollars in savings I generated for the organization, while taking on several new employees. Oh and did I mention through streamlining and completely rebuilding processes to make them far more efficient with better quality service I managed to increase my department’s operating budget in the past two fiscal years by… and I’m serious here… 1452.6%? [/ego]
Yeah, I can do the business thing. At least in the eyes of some.
But I knew one of the hardest conversations about this decision wouldn’t be with the Amazing Lady, my friend, confidant, inspiration, etc. She has far more business savvy than I do. And she supports me though she hates this idea to a degree. But I don’t blog about certain aspects of my personal life, so she rarely appears here. (One of my favorite things she says regularly: It’s only money. If we need to, we’ll just make some more.)
No, I knew the hard conversation would be with my mom. Like so many other moms out there, I knew there would be a great sense of worry. I’m her only child. She knows she’s also my friend. I can laugh with her. And let’s be blunt… I’m getting older, joining the military at a time when people my age are just about to retire from it… during a wartime.
I didn’t want to hurt her. I know she will have some worries.
We did talk.
But regular readers here have already figured out she’s someone special. No-nonsense. Be your own person. If you fall down, get your ass back up and try another tactic. Everything happens for a reason. Pay attention.
I should have put more faith into her reaction, though her voice was restrained, quiet at first as she digested the news.
“You really are having a problem with this, aren’t you?” I ventured.
“Well, I’m surprised. Not entirely. Look. I know you must have been thinking about this for a while…”
“… I didn’t want to get you started worrying if it wasn’t going to happen.”
“Whatever. Here’s the deal: I know you. You’ve thought this through. You don’t make bad decisions. I might not have all the reasoning down but I know that much about you. Yeah, I’m a little worried. That’s what I’m supposed to do. But everything happens for a reason. So go do this like you do everything else and excel. Now, when do you leave?…”
Not everything in life has been roses, but with that kind of inspiration and faith…
very blessed.
Having a mother like that makes up for a LOT of life’s injustices, doesn’t it? Now I know where you get it from.
Glad to have you back. So, when DO you leave?
…not that I’m trying to get rid of you or anything…
Yes, you are very blessed. Just in your telling I think they are all incredibly awesome women that have given you incredible insight.
I pray that God continues to bless you with incredible people and opportunities as you embark on this journey!
I have to say, I’m a bit jelous. I’d like to have amazing people like that in my life again.
I was wondering what your Mom’s reaction was going to be. Reading it here… not at all surprising.
You are blessed in many ways, internal and external.