Episode LVII: That's Life
The world isn't always a nice place. Times get tough. They say how you deal with them is all the difference. I guess I believe that. My Mom would've been 82 on Friday. I can safely say my parents were awesome. My Dad was, well he was who he was, a man's man and his discipline & no-nonsense approach shaped me. He was a worker and a grinder and a hustler and he gave no quarter and asked none. Selling cars, building houses, digging ditches, growing a farm, whatever it took, he provided for us. My Mom approached things from a different angle. She did decades in Corporate America. Knew how to "play the game." She worked her way up to head fraud investigator at a local insurance co. Even was part of (literally!) a Federal Case. She stared down sneering lawyers and matter of factly debunked everything they threw at her. This diminutive little lady from South Omaha, just shattering the game, standing up for the little guy. My parents were awesome & I'm damn lucky to have that b/c I know many people who did not.
So when I take a "10,000 foot view" and step outside myself, TBH, I just have to chuckle. We live in a world where we sweat a 0.50 variance in numbers from one week to the next. Where fun and merriment became verboten, and nebulous buzz terms that literally mean nothing become boilerplate expectations that trample creativity, inspiration and joy flat underfoot in some rudderless mission.
This is not how I choose to live my life. I will enjoy life til I cannot. I've been buoyed by recent meetings and revelations and assurances from the excellent people in my life. So many opportunities out there. Shit gets better. All you have to do is hang on for one more round. This is my intention.
So a gyro for my Mom. Local eats & treats and homemade stuff. And Husker football, a thing our family always rallied around.
领英推荐
Retired at Mutual of Omaha
5 个月Great article Fred ! Met your mom 2 times great lady very sweet. To those of you on Corn Nation Fred and I have been close friends since 2007 and yep what you see is what you get. Some days my sides hurt bad from laughing too hard ! ?? Love ya buddy
Asset Planner Group Leader at Syngenta
5 个月Well said and well received! Cheers to your folks and to you ??
Management professional
5 个月I also visited John’s last week. Sure takes you back!
Lead Marketing Solutions Support Consultant @ LinkedIn
5 个月Beautiful message and sentiments as always Fred. And great photos. Thank you for sharing!