My Golden Reunion

I leave this week to attend my 50th College Reunion from Spelman College.  It is hard to believe it's been that long.

It will be a nostalgic occasion filled with rituals, rites of passage and remembrances.

I look forward to returning to the campus where memories were sown and where traditions are strong.  Values were stressed and traditionalism was emphasized.

I thank my parents for choosing it for me and for the foundation of strength it provided me and continues to provide.

As I look around at the way life has evolved with the coarseness and lack of civility, I hold Spelman dear for building character and creating a strong bond of faith.

Spelman is part of my growth and I look forward to returning to the scene that helped flower me.

Consult your village

Recently, I had a pain -- intense pain -- in my hip.

It was becoming so aggravating that I consulted the Internet for help.

No luck.

So, in desperation, I posted my malady on Facebook.

Through my Facebook village, I got a diagnosis and tons of referrals and advice on next steps.

Out of that posting, I culled through the referrals and settled on a nearby chiropractor.

She is wonderful!  After three treatments, the pain is gone and I have strategies on how to avoid the pain in the future.  I've followed the regiment and feel so revived.

I would have never gotten relief had I not put the word out on Facebook.

And, for that, they are my go-to source for advice and counsel.

So glad to have such a reliable and wonderful village.

Take advantage of rare opportunities!

OK.  So, I was writing my $525 registration check for Alpha Kappa Alpha's conference when something came flitting across my email:  A great deal to travel to China.  Great deal, indeed!  $899 for air and hotel and the tour.  Of course, there will be extras but even with that this is a rare opportunity.

So, I tore up the check to AKA and made it to the China travel agency.

I don't have much more time on this earth and I don't know when my health will break down.  So, I'm going now...while I'm well...while I can seize the opportunity!

When Growth is not always good for business

I love my furnace guy. Shawn is funny, customer-service oriented, caring, passionate and makes you feel like you're his ONLY customer.  When you call him, he gets back within an hour -- MAX.

Others must feel that way too.  Why?  Because, he's gotten busy and started parcelling out assignments to his workers.

They don't have his personality and appeal. They're straightforward, no-nonsense, in and out and BYE.  But, they do fix the issue.

I insisted that he call me so I could talk to him.  Sure enough, he got back to me right away.  He explained that through aggressive marketing, his business has soared.  I'm thinking that part of the business' appeal is HIM and his vivacious, sparkling and charming style.

I guess I haven't made the cut in terms of being one of his "preferred" clients because I'm getting the gloomy, unpleasant technician.

So, I may start letting my fingers do the walking and find another furnace server.   After all, it's the little differences that allow a business to thrive and survive, or die.

While I want him to grow, if you haven't trained your staff to bring the same style to their negotiations and work, the growth may be negated if folks start looking for someone else.

That is the juncture I'm currently in.

Greatest find in 2017 -- Greatest Achievement

This is not what you'd expect to be on the list but, as I reflect, these two items keep bubbling to the top.

The first is the discovery that I had GPS on my cellphone -- for YEARS!  I went to a Personal Trainer in Wilmette. She was giving me directions on how to get back home but insisted I must have GPS.  I told her "NO."  I always printed out directions from MapQuest and struggled to drive and read.

She looked at my phone and said:  THERE IT IS.  It was under MAPS.

Since discovering that, my life has been easier navigating to different places.  It's been a life saver.

The second "Achievement" was rebuffing the pleas of an ex-boyfriend to see me. You see, he left unceremoniously without a word --leaving me hanging, bewildered and hurt.  Nine months later, he called.  But, by this time, he had a fiancé. He wanted to connect and I refused. I told him he'd hurt me in the worst way and refused to meet or connect. I loved this man and wouldn't play the game.

And, while it would have been easy to see him, meet on the quick and become the "side chick," I wouldn't.

It was hard...but worth it for my self esteem.  Had I given in, that would have been another series of hurts and I love Melody too much.

So there.

37 years later...RECOGNITION

Yesterday, I was recognized by a mover and shaker in a tribute that surprised -- but humbled -- me.

I hired her when she first moved to Chicago and she did a great job.  I, however, moved on and rarely saw her.

But, she opened her own business and ascended in the business world -- leaving me WAY behind.

She was honored last night and she reached out to me to attend.  She overnighted a ticket to me.

Well, with it being such an upscale event, and because she'd reached out...of course, I went.

At the height of recognition, she stopped to salute those who'd helped me along the way.

Much to my utter surprise, she paid tribute to me and hailed me for the knowledge I'd passed on to her.

I was flabbergasted as the entire room trained their eyes on me....as she told me to stand.

Sometimes, when you least expect it, you get your due.

And, I was happily surprised but glad that my professionalism and mentoring, helped propel her.

I felt proud and today, feel the aftereffects of that.

Feels kinda good.

The Rumors -- ARE TRUE!

Today, my former Mayor, David Webb, was indicted for a scheme where he was given kickbacks from contractors in return for business.  This had been rumored but, I couldn't believe it.

I've always liked him and he appointed me to the Library Board, where I have done well.

But, if the charges are true, then he has put a black mark on the City of Markham, which I've grown to love.

I pray that these charges are false....for the sake of the good people in the City...and for former Mayor Webb.