Today is a now or never day. For several months, I’ve wondered when I should officially launch The Haute Flash Site. I considered my birthday or Mother’s Day, but both are too far out. Waiting until May will give me more excuses to postpone committing to my site. St. Patrick’s Day might have worked, but I’d rather not have my site associated with a drinking holiday, and I would hope I celebrate my Irish heritage every day. So I selected Leap Day.
My Web site is a leap of faith that others will consider it a worthwhile resource. It is also leap of faith that I will make time to contribute to my blog and keep the content on the site current. I’ve run into a few hiccups along the way with this site. I look at what is on there now and think, “It’s so empty!”
I am taking that leap of faith that The Haute Flash Site will continue to bloom and in time, it will welcome a steady stream of visitors – wise women sharing lessons, young women sharing dreams – every visitor discovering new and valuable information each time she (and he) visits.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Celebrating my mother's 86th birthday
Today is my mother’s 86th birthday. On Sunday, she sent me a text message which read,
“In 2 days I will b 86 imagine that good grief many exclamation pts”
I think she’s figured out punctuation, but what’s the point of punctuating text messages? I understood exactly what she was telling me.
My dad died 28 years ago, when he was 59. All six of the kids in my family were out of the house by then, which meant Mom’s house was a very empty and quiet nest. She grieved our father, but she also got a part-time job, played bridge regularly, made new friends, went for walks, and remained an avid reader.
When her eight grandchildren came along, she had a new hobby and a venerated status among her grandkiddos. My mom was a wonderful mother, but she is a perfect grandmother. Without my mother, I don’t know how I would have coped as a single mom. She and my daughter had a standing Thursday night date, when Mom would pick up Caitlin from school, go out to dinner, and spend the rest of the evening playing board games. (At 86, Mom still plays a mean game of Chinese Checkers and can beat almost any opponent!)
It is rather remarkable to think of my mom at 86 – especially when so many of my friends’ mothers have passed away. It is daunting to consider getting older and facing all that goes with it, but Mom has faced her age with grace, humor, and a hefty dose of patience. Her attitude inspires me. Happy Birthday, Patsy (many exclamation points)
“In 2 days I will b 86 imagine that good grief many exclamation pts”
I think she’s figured out punctuation, but what’s the point of punctuating text messages? I understood exactly what she was telling me.
My dad died 28 years ago, when he was 59. All six of the kids in my family were out of the house by then, which meant Mom’s house was a very empty and quiet nest. She grieved our father, but she also got a part-time job, played bridge regularly, made new friends, went for walks, and remained an avid reader.
When her eight grandchildren came along, she had a new hobby and a venerated status among her grandkiddos. My mom was a wonderful mother, but she is a perfect grandmother. Without my mother, I don’t know how I would have coped as a single mom. She and my daughter had a standing Thursday night date, when Mom would pick up Caitlin from school, go out to dinner, and spend the rest of the evening playing board games. (At 86, Mom still plays a mean game of Chinese Checkers and can beat almost any opponent!)
It is rather remarkable to think of my mom at 86 – especially when so many of my friends’ mothers have passed away. It is daunting to consider getting older and facing all that goes with it, but Mom has faced her age with grace, humor, and a hefty dose of patience. Her attitude inspires me. Happy Birthday, Patsy (many exclamation points)
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Recently, I had dinner with a friend who is a good 10 years younger than I am. We talked about her birthday, which was coming up in a few days, as well as mine, which is coming up in a few months. When I brought up the subject of age, my friend became noticeably uncomfortable, said she was approaching 40, but that she wouldn’t be that old for a while, and she quickly moved off the topic..
I can’t judge her for not wanting to reveal or talk about her age. I’m not exactly thrilled to be turning 50, but I’m not going to let myself freak out that I’m getting older. What does freak me out is wondering how much I’ve accomplished in 50 years. As a graduate of an all-female high school, I don’t stress out about looking great for my reunions. I worry about measuring up to the accomplishments of my former schoolmates. I’m not talking about the women who married into money. Hooray for them for striking it rich, and all that, but they’re not the ones whose accomplishments blow me away.
My classmates’ careers include stay-at-home moms, bartenders, accomplished musicians, nurses, teachers, brain surgeons, lawyers, and just about everything in between. Those women who have learned to love themselves while caring for others are the women I admire – the women who are comfortable in their own skin, however toned, or fleshy or tan it may be.
While I haven’t officially launched my website, it is scary to declare my age to those who stumble upon or are aware of my blog. I’m resisting the anxiety that starts to natter at me whenever I write about my age, but being anxious about who I am and what I’ve done at this stage is not something I expect to overcome any time soon.
I can’t judge her for not wanting to reveal or talk about her age. I’m not exactly thrilled to be turning 50, but I’m not going to let myself freak out that I’m getting older. What does freak me out is wondering how much I’ve accomplished in 50 years. As a graduate of an all-female high school, I don’t stress out about looking great for my reunions. I worry about measuring up to the accomplishments of my former schoolmates. I’m not talking about the women who married into money. Hooray for them for striking it rich, and all that, but they’re not the ones whose accomplishments blow me away.
My classmates’ careers include stay-at-home moms, bartenders, accomplished musicians, nurses, teachers, brain surgeons, lawyers, and just about everything in between. Those women who have learned to love themselves while caring for others are the women I admire – the women who are comfortable in their own skin, however toned, or fleshy or tan it may be.
While I haven’t officially launched my website, it is scary to declare my age to those who stumble upon or are aware of my blog. I’m resisting the anxiety that starts to natter at me whenever I write about my age, but being anxious about who I am and what I’ve done at this stage is not something I expect to overcome any time soon.
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About Me
- Haute Flash Blog
- I am a public relations and marketing communications consultant with more than 20 years of experience. I love working with clients who are passionate about the services or products they provide their customers. I take my work seriously, but my sense of humor keeps me from letting life get in the way of my perspective and ability to create. My latest mantra: I'm a work in progress.