Obstacles can be Redirections to Something Better

As I look back at the entire tapestry of my life, I can see from the perspective of the present moment that every aspect of my life was necessary and perfect.?Each step eventually led to a higher place, even though these steps often felt like obstacles or painful experiences. – Wayne Dyer

As I entered my junior year in high school, I didn’t necessarily have a grand plan for my life. My dad ran away from home at the age of 13, acquired a fake birth certificate at the age of 15 and joined the Army. His time was spent learning to cook which ignited a passion for the culinary world.?After leaving the Army, he continued perfecting his culinary skills with just a 6th grade education.?He met my mom at the Biltmore Hotel in Dayton, Ohio where she was the salad girl, and he was a line cook.?My mom had less education than my dad, worked hard to make it on her own and gain the attention of my dad.?They married and raised five daughters on one income.?All my parents wanted for us was to finish high school, get married and have a family. College was never discussed or even seemed like an option.?I did just that, I finished high school, got married to my high school sweetheart and got a job working for a law firm.?

One job led to another, each providing an income, but it didn’t seem to be enough.?I landed a job at a factory working as an Admin for Jerry Moeggenberg, the production manager.?Jerry saw something in me I did not see in myself.?He began to challenge me to stretch myself professionally and encouraged me to take classes at the local community college.?A whole new world had been opened up and I felt ready to step into it.?I was promoted and for the first time felt I was accomplishing something I could be proud of.?Soon after, my husband and I found out we were going to be parents.?This was a very exciting time for us, so I put everything on hold and became a mom.?I continued working for Jerry and the company.?After the birth of my second child, I decided to stay home.?But the desire to see how far I could go in a career never left.?Just before my daughter started kindergarten, my husband and I sold everything, cashed in our retirement and with two kids in tow moved to a small town and enrolled in college.?There were times we didn’t know how we would pay for groceries, but we kept our eyes on the prize, a college degree.?We accomplished our goal and graduated with honors. ?My first position was a 5th grade teacher at a small school in Kentucky.?I loved the kids and loved teaching, but our journey was not done.?My husband took a position in Virginia which led us to a place we had never been and didn’t know anyone.?Much to my surprise I landed a position at a very large prestigious church where I acquired yet another set of skills including accounting and human resource. I spent almost 10 wonderful years in Virginia.??I felt we had arrived at our destination, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.?My husband was offered a position an hour from our hometown and being close to family was very appealing, so we moved.?I hated leaving my position at the church but was happy to be close to home.?

It didn’t take me long to find a position as an office manager at a children’s therapy practice.?Shortly after arriving there the parent company decided to close the therapy practice but asked me to start a day program for adults with intellectual and physical delays.?I had no idea what I was doing but took on the challenge.?My goal was to be the first of the six locations to be profitable and I was!?As a result of the success of that day program I took on a second location.?I gave it all I had 24/7 which led to burnout.?I sent out my resume and received a call from a national franchised home care company.?I knew day programming, but I didn’t know anything about home care or franchising.?I took the position as a trainer and quickly dove in.?I fell in love with home care and the opportunities it gives people to remain independent.?I was promoted several times ending my time there as Senior Vice President.?I could not have loved the company or my position more and thought I would retire with this company.?But unknowingly to me this was not my final destination.?My position was eliminated, and I was left with, “what do I do now?”?

During my time with the franchise, I had met Kyle Laramie, owner of Veterans Care Coordination (VCC).?We worked well together as partners, and I totally believed in what VCC did in helping Veterans. Kyle reached out and wanted to talk about a possibility of coming to work for VCC.?I remember hanging up thinking how amazing it would be if this worked out.?Well, it did!?Kyle not only offered me a position at VCC but an opportunity to learn a new skill yet again.?I ?started as the Strategic Partnership Director working with national accounts.?I honestly didn’t know I would enjoy a position more than I did this one.?I was able to use my experience to land a few new national accounts which brought a huge rush of excitement.?I used my training skills to help the VCC team have a better understanding of home care and I learned so much from them in return.?I am now the Director of People + Talent.?I am so excited to expand my knowledge in this area.?Again, I have been given the opportunity to grow professionally. The work we do every day gives me such fulfillment knowing I have indirectly helped someone have a better life.?At VCC, we support one another no matter what position we hold.?We truly understand the mission is bigger than all of us and we need each other to further the mission. ?I feel very blessed I get to start each day at VCC.

What has my journey thus far taught me??That I ?had an internal dream in which others discovered before I did.?That each change can challenge you to be a better self.?That opportunities often come when you aren’t looking, and I wouldn’t have wanted to miss any of them.?Today, I’m working for a great company with amazing people doing life-changing work for Veterans and their families.?What more could I want?