Dream vs. Work…I’ll take both

Feeling reflective on the eve of starting in a new role…I have been at this PR/Marketing thing for more than 20 years and I am proud of the work I have done and how far I have come. I have met some of the most amazing people and I have gotten to engage with them on work that meant something to us and to others that we served.

Early on, I remember distinctly that feeling of being the youngest person in the room…walking into the conference room, feeling insecure…willing myself to look and act the part…to sound older, wiser.

The ensuing years kind of seem a blur. Deadline gave way to deadline. Milestone to the next milestone. Friends came and went…and so did I…moving for opportunities, life changes and evolutions.

And these last few years, I have gladly taken the role of the older, battle-worn, senior team member with lots of stories to share peppered with woeful anecdotes of using gadgets like Palm Pilots and pagers and copy machines.

My work friends have been the absolute light of my life, truly. I always think about you…Zach, Trenna and Steve…Gabe, Tim, Tasha, Don and so many characters at The Journal…Lisa, Kristy, Colleen, Brandye, Steve, Phil, Tony, Lloyd, Peter, El, Michelle and about fifty other amazing people I will never forget in Phoenix…Tony, Kevin K., Tony T., Denise, Katy, Nikki, Amy, Stefan, Greg, Cathy!! and my awesome interns who became big whigs, Kyle and Jill…Heather, Will, Meredith and the whole MDT crew…Kerry and Emma — the PR dream team…

I feel blessed beyond measure to call these people (and more) coworkers over the years. When the deadlines have passed and the years have flown by, I am left with the imprints of people. Relationships. Smiles and laughs. Memories of goals achieved, ridiculous situations handled, monumental tasks we somehow completed, heart-to-heart talks, and the feeling that it was us against the world. With you all on my side, the world never stood a chance.

I would not trade any moments we had. You, former coworkers, have made me the person I am today. Your influence has been tremendous. And now I find myself in another evolution.

Here I am. Moving on again. But this time, I am doing it backwards. This time friends will become coworkers and my professional mission is more personal than ever. I’m following my dream. I’m becoming a writer of fiction.

I feel called to do this work. I feel equipped to do it well. And I feel honored to have the chance.

This winding path has led me here, to this moment.

No job will ever be everything. No job should really ever be EVERYTHING.

Still, this feels different.

Here. I. Go.