Growing Up Savvy Posts

A very special woman in my life shared some “food for thought” with me this weekend — our Bubbie (Evan’s Bubbie really, but we share :)). There comes a time when we all realize that all the drama in our life is unnecessary and happiness is focusing on what is important — laughter and people who bring you joy. Along with the food for thought, there was an exercise to select eight women who I would consider sitting at my table through the journey that is …  life. I’m good at math and I quite understand that eight is too few, but alas, I started to think who I would want to continue my life’s journey with.

I won’t disclose my list … here. But I will highlight two women on my list — my aunt & my mother-in-law.

My aunt: I have three aunts as my mom has one sister and my dad has two. The person I mean in this case is my mom’s sister. Of all my aunts, she is closest to me because — well, distance, chance and because we are rather similar. She appreciates travel, art, literature and uniqueness. She is a very classy lady who has over the years maintained a well-appointed home where she raised a beautiful family. We celebrated my aunt’s 65th birthday this weekend. Evan, Sophia and I made the journey back to Delaware for the occasion and were happy to once again be surrounded by family. Her friends came from near and far and it was … well, it was how I would want to celebrate my 65th birthday.

My M-I-L: At first glance, you would think my mother-in-law and I are fairly different. I like modern and stark and travel and she likes comfortable, warm, abundant. However, if you dig a little deeper, you will see that we share some of the same values. We are both mama bear mamas and will do anything for our children, will probably overstep bounds of propriety to make sure our children are sated, happy. We both like to craft, too. My mother-in-law always helps me stretch beyond my comfort zone and try new things where Sophia is involved. For example, she convinced me to try cheerios when Sophia was six months old, maybe seven. I was convinced that Sophia would choke, but none-the-less, I gave it a go and we have never looked back or been happier with Cheerios. Every time we visit, or my in-laws visit, Sophia seems to have accomplished or tried something new. I am very glad that I have her in my life.

I like to surround myself with people who inspire me to aspire to something — it helps me grow as a person.

I sometimes wonder who reads my blog, what they get out of it and why they come back. I know many readers come back for the Friday Moments, while others like to read about our weekends and then quite a few of you read what I call opinion pieces like this one, and this one.

I am trying to balance the opinion posts as they’re not for everyone — quite literally. Usually, I have a message to convey and an intended audience — sometimes, just one person. The general idea transcends boundaries and is applicable to everyone.

I work in corporate America. Actually, I work in corporate America in a man’s world. As you read this, count how many women computer science researchers do you know?

One Mississippi,

Two Mississippi,

Three… All done?

Moving on. I have been doing this working in corporate America & in a man’s world for ten years. Before that, I did the going to school in a man’s college department … I encounter very few lady-folks. While that may intimidate some people, it doesn’t faze me and never really did. That doesn’t mean that there are not challenges in being the only or one of a few women on a team. I do have a few rules that help me establish and maintain relationships over the years.

These are my life rules. 1. do onto others as you like to have done onto you. 2. be honest … even if to your own detriment — honesty will set you free. 3. be nice 4. have sympathy and compassion. 5. don’t be jealous — if you want it, work hard for it. and finally — 5. show your [true] face.

Sounds very simple, but you would be surprised how many people are dishonest, mean-spirited and aren’t nice though they try to be on the outside. Those who aren’t nice, also have no compassion or sympathy because … oh who knows, why. They just don’t and those are the things that you are taught early in your childhood. As Dr. Seuss says “I do not know. Go Ask Your Mom[/Dad]!”.

I’ll try to stand by my words, my rules and teach Sophia compassion and honesty.

This evening marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. This is one of my most favorite holidays as it marks a new new year, a new beginning.

We are celebrating at  home in Maryland since the holiday falls in the middle of the workweek. Not only are we just the three of us, but the menu is far less traditional. Absent will be the typical chicken soup with matzo balls, brisket, mashed potatoes and even apple cake.

Even though the menu will be different, and some of our loved ones far away, I recognize that I will this evening be replete with joy, happiness and hopeful that this new year brings health and happiness to my family and the families of those I love.

There is also another reason to celebrate the new year — today mark’s my nephew’s first day of school. Typically, I wouldn’t mention this here. However, this isn’t just any typical first day of school; He is starting fourth grade in a new school — and I am thinking about him. A new school is a big deal and this one presents many great opportunities and possibilities. All children deserve an exceptional education but not everyone seizes opportunities they are provided with. I have no doubt he will.

So there you have it : new year, new beginnings. L’Shanah Tovah!