{Shared with me by my daughter, published with permission from her kindred.}
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RE: If I had a blog, I would post this....
The man behind me in line at Starbucks just bought my drink.
After telling the barista to put my drink on his card, he explained with a smile—a smile very much at home on his kind, round face—that someone in the drive thru covered his meal the other day. He wanted to extend the kind deed to me.
He has short brown hair, he works at Carmax, and every morning he gets a grande bold coffee with a toasted multi grain bagel. He rarely orders anything other than his usual for the same reasons I will order nothing but a white chocolate mocha. Whenever he orders a white chocolate mocha he gets three shots of espresso in it.
I didn’t get his name.
I saw Jesus in his eyes.
I wish I would have told him that.
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I fiercely love my daughter's friend, Maddie. Her friendship (together with Abbie's) was oxygen to my daughter when she transferred schools as a junior. She's a senior this year and, oh, how I've missed seeing these girls in my kitchen, almost as much as I miss my own daughter, now away at college.
Passionate and confident in so many ways, after attending a weekend event I can't recall now, Maddie recently made me crush all over again when she made this declaration:
[It = deleting her Facebook page]"It was great! I actually lived life instead of feeling the pressure to fake-live it on Facebook."
Did I mention she's also wise and mature beyond her years?
When I read her gorgeous email to my daughter, when I noticed the subject line, I thought "You DO have a blog you can post it on...."
Nothing would make me happier than for YOU to share your thoughts and responses to encourage this burgeoning writer as she approaches the end of high school. Can't you sense her potential?! ~ smile ~
Chattanooga is sweet cream rising; the days it reigned as Most Polluted City in the Nation are (thankfully) but a vapor. Capturing national and global attention, Chattanooga ~
was named Best Town Ever by readers of Outside Magazine (announced in August for its October 2011 issue)
Last week I received an email from the team at Collective Bias asking me if I would be interested in attending the September 24th ribbon cutting for Murphy USA's EV Level III Charging Station, serving as their eyes and ears. I jumped at the chance, thrilled to be a part of this important event to learn first-hand what this would mean for Chattanooga and the entire country!
{l-r Carol Berz - Councilwoman District 6/Chattanooga City Council; Congressman Chuck Fleischmann - 3rd District Tennessee; Tom McKinlay, President, Murphy USA Inc.; Jeff Goodwin, Vice President Retail Operations, Murphy USA Inc.; Alex Alexandrou, Senior Manager Retail Programs & Business Development, Murphy USA Inc.; John Wirtz, Head Electric Transportation Infrastructure, Eaton Corporation; Angelos Lambis, Vice President Operations & Support Services, Murphy USA Inc.}
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The Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce delivered a picture-perfect Fall morning--clear and crisp and barely a cloud in sight. It was under blue skies and sunshine that Murphy USA president Tom McKinlay offered warm opening remarks--
Murphy USA selected Chattanooga as the site for its first Level 3 Charger because of its close proximity to Smyrna, TN, Nissan's site for 2012 production of their all-electric vehicle, the Leaf. Interestingly, Murphy USA opened its first retail store back in December 1996, just a few miles down the road near the Sam’s Club parking lot. In 15 years, Murphy USA has grown to 1,100 stores in 23 states across the country.
Initially, I was confused because 2 North Shore downtown announced just two days earlier it had installed five charging stations with its solar photovoltaic parking structure system. The difference--and it's substantial--is the length of time it takes to complete a charge. The Ecotality unit downtown will charge an electric vehicle in four-six hours; the Eaton Corporation's Level 3 Charger can accomplish full charge in 20-30 minutes!
"We want to be our customers' complete energy provider," declared Murphy USA president Tom McKinlay. "This is the first step in truly understanding just how influential this equipment might be and how likely it is for us to take it to scale across our network."
I agree with Congressman Chuck Fleischmann who repeatedly proclaimed Chattanooga "the best mid-size city in the world." Sure, some would say that's just political speak, but when you hear him say it, you know he means it. "Chattanooga is leading the nation in innovation," he asserts, "This is the place to be!" Living here I'd say there's plenty of evidence to support such bold statements.
Councilwoman Carol Berz, District 6, just as enthusiastic, lauded Murphy USA's investment in Chattanooga and admitted she was "very impressed with [Murphy USA's] research methods...that is, to go to the people, don't tell them what they want, ask them what they want and let them try it out."
It's an understatement to say I was impressed with all in attendance. The intimate gathering allowed for real conversation, and every one of my countless questions was answered, respectfully and thoroughly. Officials joining Murphy USA included Eaton Corporation's John Wirtz (Head Electric Transportation Infrastructure), Congressman Chuck Fleischmann and his wife, Brenda, John Wayne (President and CEO of The Enterprise Center), Jim Hill (East Coast Director Trivalle Communications for Mitsubishi Motors North America) and Kevin Pierce (our local Nissan dealer's internet sales manager); Tom McKinlay brought key personnel from Murphy USA: Angelos Lambis~Vice President Operations & Support Services, Jeff Goodwin~Vice President Retail Operations and Sam Sharma~Division Manager.
My favorite part might have been test-driving Mitsubishi's i MIEV, my first time driving a vehicle with the steering wheel on the right. It's surprisingly quiet (I didn't even realize when the engine was running) and roomy for its compact size.
My only complaint (and shortcoming) is that because I was taking photographs with my Nikon and cell phone, and videoing with my Flip--and then spending time talking with everyone--I wasn't able to upload pics to Facebook and Twitter during the event! Hopefully, having everything here in one place will make up for it.
Thanks to Collective Bias for hiring me and trusting me with this job! I'm much more informed as a result.
The man haunts my inbox on a daily basis--sometimes more than once a day--and he's one of the most highly regarded authors and speakers on the planet. While he commands a king's ransom for speaking engagements (serving a purpose beyond a paycheck) I see him as a generous giver and an E.F. Hutton of his time.
Read today's post and golf applause with me. (Plus, I appreciate the fact he's been Typepad loyal in spite of the mad rush to Wordpress in recent years....)
One degree of separation is likely the closest I'll ever get to Seth; my fellow (in)courage contributor and amazing author/friend Annie was one of a handful of brilliant people selected to participate in his week-long MBA Alternative last year. Her future is altered as a result, but it was no mistake she was chosen.
In spite of my admiration for Seth's writing and speaking prowess, it's utterly hilarious to me that while I am shopping for a friend's birthday present, upon stumbling across a new-to-me line of cards and trinkets, it's HIM--a complete stranger!--I find myself thinking about when I see a vintage picture of a group of women in bathing suits--
And, that my friends, is the force and phenom of social media.
Seriously, if you're in business and aren't familiar with Seth Godin, you need to be. Here are a few titles to getcha started!
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In case you can't see the Borealis press magnet, its quote by Jane Howard reads, "Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
And I guess I could ultimately blame it on Amanda; it was she who "invited" me to host her birthday party when I had known her all of five minutes. Angie was one of her guests and I liked her within seconds of meeting; she's a wordificator who speaks my mother tongue.
But I'm ahead of myself...this story is best-served with a little background....
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It was one of those weeks where I really needed a baby rainbow.
Disappointment and defeat were circling my wagon, the kind impossible to distinguish between real and imaginary. I had made a misstep or two, only to find out later I was missing a critical piece of the puzzle that would have made a huge difference. In another instance, I felt abandoned by a friend, the distance a mile wide and twice as deep, and I couldn't decide whether to Let It Be or salvage what I could...or realize the chasm existed only in my head.
In my Silent Alone, tears flowed freely and I hated each one. Drops of weakness. Insecurity's shower. Hormonal display that made me feel crazy!
One of my greatest strengths has always been my ability to be reasonable; to understand both sides of every story or even to entertain a third if necessary. Circumstances were rattling my foundation, and even though intellectually I understood what was going on, my emotions battled for control.
Thankfully, these Crazy Times are short lived, and all my 40-something friends tell me they know exactly what I'm talkin' 'bout.
(Can I please get a witness from any pre-menopausal woman???)
Talking to Angie at the end of a drama-tinged day suddenly cast everything in new light.
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She reached out by way of Facebook, a message that grabbed me by the throat and demanded immediate response--
I have a super-secret opportunity, through my work that I think would be perfect for you. It involves blogging, facebook and twitter. It is so secret that I am not allowed to talk about it online at all. So when you get a chance, would you call me?
She had me at hello.
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Over two weeks of keeping it secret has threatened to explode me from the inside out! I have a job. Part time. Temporary. A short-term project really.
Social media director for............
...for the Chattanooga/Tri-County area, their 188th home!!!!
Get rowdy at the Big Hearts Pep Rally this Thursday, February 3! Beginning at 6:30 at The Chattanoogan, admission and parking is free. Bring a non-perishable food item to benefit the Extreme Food Drive. Tee shirts to wear your support will be available for $15.
Say thanks to Vision Homes for leading this build; because of them and so many others, a family's life is about to be radically changed.
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If I'm doing my job well, you'll forget it's me Tweeting and Facebooking and at times updating the site. Never have I been more thrilled to be invisible! Watching our community rally together and swell with excitement and pride? Anticipating the family's reaction to learning "they" are the ones? Helping support the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and the American Heart Association?
Okay, so this might not be a big deal to you, and I know it really doesn't "matter"...but daggum it, I'M QUOTED IN TIME MAGAZINE THIS WEEK!!
Picked up from the online article I mentioned a few weeks ago, they decided to include it in print. The cover story might be "The Tragedy of Detroit" but from where I'm sitting? Apparently I'm swimming in controversial water by my alignment with Sponsored Tweets.
Whatevah....
For now I'm just having fun sharing the news. And it'll give my friends in real life one more opportunity to tell me I'm only a l m o s t famous :).
Yesterday, my son celebrated his 12th birthday, a day more special than most birthdays in our family because it falls on his grandmother's birthday, too. Because he's my youngest and I'm holding on to his milestones with white-knuckled grip, OF COURSE I had to share my thoughts. At his request, instead of a birthday cake I made Chocolate Eclair Dessert, his absolute favorite food in the universe, and he declared HE should get "almost ALL" of the 9 x 12 dish because it was, in fact, his birthday and that should grant him special favor. Had I made it the night before, he could've had it for breakfast for all I cared, because it was his birthday and LIFE IS SHORT SO EAT DESSERT FIRST, right?
In the back of my mind (and in the center of my heart) was thoughts of Angie, one of my Compassion-India team members whom I've not yet met, but whom I know grieves the very date I celebrate; April 7th is the day her daughter Audrey Caroline was born...and died. I sleepily seized opportunity to pray for her at 3:17 in the morning, when insomnia dared me to sleep; yesterday would have been Audrey's first birthday.
Today when I signed onto Twitter, I learned Heather (The Spohrs are Multiplying and a co-editor of mine at Blog Nosh), had unexpectedly lost her precious 17-month-old daughter, Maddie. Twenty-four hours ago, I had seen tweets that explained Maddie was back in the hospital, and though I didn't know her complete story, I sent a message to Heather to let her know I was praying for them.
I had no idea how serious it was :(.
Anyways...
I've watched something special unfold today as I worked from my laptop--the use of social media in the best of ways. Over $13,500 has been raised so far for the March of Dimes because of Maddie, due largely in part to dozens of bloggers tweeting and retweeting the MOD site and Maddie's story. Heather and her husband Mike were planning to march on April 25th in L.A. Many bloggers have been moved to share their remembrances and thoughts, and Amy's site (A Mom Two Boys) is a central spot for linking posts; there, readers can also learn how to donate money to the family's related expenses.
This coming together of those who have a passion for the blogging/Twitter community has been beautiful. Using the power of our words, we're celebrating and honoring the life of a little girl, who was robbed of years, but whose death will impact many.
This is one of those times when life doesn't make sense; when I have to trust that this human tragedy came as no surprise to God...and that from His perspective, it has divine purpose. Imagine--Maddie's 17 months of life on this planet, that precious face of hers, is touching thousands of people! The money raised through her story will save lives. What a blessing!
I looked at my kids differently when they returned home from school this afternoon; I don't think they recognized the shift in how I saw them.
And when Stephen wakes up tomorrow...if there's any Chocolate Eclair Dessert left...it's just fine with me if he eats dessert for breakfast.
As they come to mind over the coming days, even if this is the first time you've heard of Maddie, please continue to pray for them. If you're inclined, celebrate Maddie's life with me by adding your own contribution; just click the widget above.
Hmmm...if I'm not mistaken, I think Doonesbury doth mocketh twitter. Infidel!
Are you on twitter? If so, how 'bout leave your best pitch or explanation for it in comments. Not on twitter? In comments, tell me why or ask questions. I'd love for both sides to weigh in!
Don't even know what twitter is? Well, now... bless...your...heart...;)
