Courage

What’s a fear you’ve overcome — and how did you do it?

I have never been fond of traveling alone, but one day years ago someone in my husband’s office booked his flight to a conference and forgot about me. When they realized the flights he was scheduled for were booked. They booked my flight on a different airline with different layovers.

I took a deep breath and there was nothing I could do so I followed the plan. Heading there was uneventful and in the arrival airport I was so happy to see my husband waiting for me.

Being forced to travel alone broke a fear in me /I realized I might be more courageous than I thought.

There was another time I was the trailing spouse and hubby was attending a conference in DC.. I could not imagine sitting in the hotel room and missing out on the sights. We were a block from the metro station – I packed my camera and courage , said a prayer and headed out taking photos and wandering the city. It was liberating.

History

What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

I am a second generation American with my grandparents having immigrated from Eastern Europe before the turn of the last century. My grandparents brought a rich and deep history that fascinated me as a child. Beyond the foods and faith tradition they offered me centuries of historic accounts, events that shaped their childhood homes, and shaped their courage and fortitude.

As an adult I have done extensive reading in Russian history. Growing up in a church that history built, St Theodosius Cathedral of Cleveland was built with funds and guidance of the last monarch of Russia. History was tangible as I looked into the faces of the royal family immortalized on murals in the church.

Russian and American history offer us lessons of courage, boldness and victory as well as crushing defeat.

Best advice

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

All is not hopeless. Often when bad news comes or there is something troubling you have heard it comes when you are hungry, angry,lonely or tired. Don’t make decisions at that time. Give it a day. Resolve your hunger, anger, loneliness or tiredness. Perspectives change.

Hawaii- yes!!!

What’s the most money you’ve ever spent on a meal? Was it worth it?

Steve and I went to Hawaii for our anniversary many years ago. We heard of a restaurant owned and run by Roy Yamaguchi and it looked like a basic office building with a fabulous view of the Maunaloa Bay at Hawaii Kai. That was the first time we spoke with a sommelier to pair a wine with our meal. We ordered fish, fresh and bright, and paired it with a lovely citrus noted white wine. A bite, a sip- they exploded in flavor. And it was pricy but I would do it again.

What’s the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten?

That’s a loaded question because I love food, and cooking, growing my own food, and so the answer is limitless.

My most favorite delicious thing has to be beets. Any way they are prepared is incredibly lucious.

How do you waste the most time every day?

reading my Bible, gardening, laundry, house chores, podcasts. I tend to remain super busy- time is too precious to waste

Hello from the past

Write a letter to your 100-year-old self.

Dear 100 year old me,

Wow you made it…. Survived so very many changes in your life. You saw the world change before your eyes, and not always in good ways. I’m proud of you that you stayed strong, preserved when the odds were against you. And as you look back on a century of life look what all you accomplished.

Remember the dreams sacrificed so that the tyranny of the urgent was tended to. Don’t beat yourself up for working for that jerk of a boss who treated you poorly- it developed character in you and taught you more about yourself. And count your blessings for the incredible boss that listened, and led with kindness.

And don’t think poorly of the education that did not propel your career as you thought. It is because you learned that some things are not true- big careers come with decisions to sacrifice those parts of your life that bring you life, joy and satisfaction. Not all of us were designed to chart the political waters of corporate America. And corporate America hides many insecure people in leadership. They are easily threatened, and prefer to keep people from seeing how much they don’t know.Team work was never in their vocabulary.

You found your joy in loving your husband, of cooking up a storm, and making sure we were eating healthy. You found your passion for art, and for the freedom painting silk brought to your days. And the garden… the endless years of fresh produce, delicious treasures you tended to and nurtured.

And this century has been filled with a life’s partner in your hubby. A hard working living kind man of faith. We were there for each other to laugh and celebrate the big things together. And we were there for the gut wrenching hard times. Together. Loving, supportive and always pointing each other back to god.

Look how far you have come!

I’m proud of you.

Something I learned in high school

Describe something you learned in high school.

I’m showing my age to say that was decades ago. But the one take away lesson I learned was to be true to myself, not strive to fit in a clique or be in with the in crowd. I remember most those lunches playing chess with my friend Tina, or choosing to enjoy a good book. And learn to shed the impact of peer pressure. I am thankful that lesson was one that helped me into adult life where you can be your own self. The pressure to conform to mythical standards to fit in with people I have not seen since high school is fake, and I prefer authenticity.

To thy own self be true

What was the experience that caused me to grow most?

What experiences in life helped you grow the most?

Hands down it was 2010 when both Steve and I lost our career jobs to downsizing and the economy.

Learning to live on a bit over 10k after being accustomed to a 6 figure income was very difficult, but it was in that time we both dug deep. miraculously we paid every bill, including mortgage.

I learned that there are times when life spins out of control, and loss of income requires resourcefulness. Don’t look at the fierce storm, but trust the storm is not forever.

And I learned that corporate America seldom considers the impact of decisions they make. There is not a look at the human side of these decisions.

I learned that I cannot hold on to anger and bitterness but instead search deep inside for the skills and energy to carve a new life. It’s possible and with gods grace we have built a nice little soap and art business.

I learned that throughout any struggle god has to take the center point, and his grace leads us on.

But if you never had a major life upturn you just don’t realize how much emotion, sense of identity and purpose feel lost. The biggest struggle was to realize I am not the job I did…. I am much more than that.

And probably what caused me to grow most was the understanding that I was rescued from how healthcare would become toxic. The work environment was always about egos and power. Power that lorded over worker bees with sometimes an oppressive bend. I was saved from all that energy that was toxic and difficult to process.

I realized it meant a release of the oppressive attitudes of the work place. And through all these realizations our company was born and has grown for 15 years. We had acquired the business acumen, the self discipline and the self motivated drive to shine and make the best darn soap!!!!

There is a passage in the Bible that Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his jealous brothers says to them when the tables turned: “what you meant for evil God used for the good.” I resonate with that verse. I don’t really know the hearts of the bosses that decided to lay me off, but my final lesson was to let go of the thoughts I had about them, and trust god knows best.

Wishes

What do you wish you could do more every day?

Be more kind and supportive. Now that I’m retired from the work force it’s a lot easier. Honestly it’s often a challenge to not judge those who play politics, talk behind your back, yet never think their actions will catch up. as a Christian I must forgive silly behavior. As a person who worked for decades I have to say I tried to always model an honest and supportive work ethic.