EXECUTIVE COACH, BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TRAINER AND SPEAKER BACK TO HER CAREER

At the beginning of each year I put on a board above my computer my values, dreams and anything else that makes me feel good when I look at it. I have a home office and consider myself fortunate for I saw the wisdom of a home office years ago.

My values were listed as Integrity, Freedom and Adventure. Family did not have to be on it for everyone in my family was moving along well and living their life fully. All of that changed on February 13 when my Mom (My best friend) had a massive stroke. I live in Washington and she lived in southern Texas near my sister.

All of a sudden "Family" was my top value. Numerous trips to McAllen, Texas ended on July 28th, when my sister and I headed to Wisconsin to take my Mom home and to rest next to my Dad in a beautiful country cemetery on July 29th.

Those five months were some of the toughest times I have experienced, yet, at the same time beautiful. My brother, sister and I worked as an outstanding team ---keeping in mind whatever it took to make Mom's last days on earth as comfortable as we humanly could muster.

My sister said it best at Mom's service "There were no harsh words between us. We believe that is the greatest thing we could do for her. We believe she would be proud how we all conducted ourselves."

This week I am going on a planned vacation. The timing is perfect and Mom is probably smiling because she worked it out so I could go on this vacation that I have been looking forward to---attending Native American big Market in Santa Fe with a friend/colleague from California.

I'm back on the 21st. Focus, finishing my book, getting in touch with clients and developing new speaking opportunities. Of course, the book will now be dedicated to both my Mom and Dad who taught me well --- they are missed.