Catching Up and Being Grateful

Okay, so I have no idea how it's already December 1, Thanksgiving is long gone and the glorious miserable season of holiday ads is here. I've written about my loathing of the Christmas buy stuff you don't need before and really my opinion hasn't changed for 2009. Instead, spend time with your loved ones, friends and family, and the furry creatures that bless our lives. This is time and energy well spent. So, what have I been up to since my last post. Just a few things.

• The Kennedy / OnRec Recruiting Conference in Chicago including the very fun Fail Spectacularly party hosted by Laurie Ruettimann and Jason Seiden
• Spent a weekend in Walla Walla drinking tasty wine
• Cleaned my house for a solid week after my return
• Got caught up on my clients' needs
• My dad had a heart attack

That last bullet still throws me off a bit and considering it was two weeks ago, I guess I'm still adjusting. Nothing refocuses a person on what his or her true priorities are like a serious health issue with a close family member or friend. My ducks were in a row quickly. I am happy to report that he is now at home, his immediate health concerns have been addressed and now begins the long road to recovery and lots of lifestyle changes (including a lot less ice cream).

My previous job in human resources included administering FMLA and leave. Sometimes the reasons for leave were for good things like someone having a baby and others were for no fun reasons like cancer or other terminal illnesses. However, I don't think I truly understood what the leave meant to people until this happened to my dad.

Thankfully, although I work for a company that is not regulated by the FMLA, Cool Works allowed me the time to care for my dad and simply be at his side. Thanks to my CW partners for being there. And, many thanks also go to friends and family who were and continue to be supportive through this whole experience. I appreciate your encouragement, thoughts, hugs, and success stories of family members who have lived well beyond their heart attacks. All of that means quite a bit to me and my dad.

I found that even when I wasn't at the hospital, my mind was completely distracted by the event. Trying to communicate to others the need for thoughts and prayers, the simple fact that something serious had happened, who needs to know, who can help, what treatments would be used, which drug was for what, and so on made it completely overwhelming. All of the old and well referenced adages like "take things day by day" and "life's like a box of chocolates" and "all things in moderation" were often thought about and shared. I'm just thankful that my dad lived to see another Thanksgiving and my hope is that he'll be around for many more.

So, please pardon my absence. I have a legitimate excuse and I can easily get you the paperwork to verify that fact if you need it. I have lots to be thankful for.