I used to blog. Then my dad passed away...and so did my words. I was pregnant with Satchel when he died...so I missed writing about my early days with Satchel. I wondered if the words would ever come back. I really didn't think so. Fast forward 6 years and here we are. Today is my last day at Provident...my dream job...the only full time job I have had since I graduated from Pepperdine. Next month I would have celebrated 13 years there. It's hard to believe! I spent as much time in that job as I did in K-12th! Crazy! The elusive email went out from my supervisor that I would be leaving and would be pursuing other opportunities. The fact of the matter is that is not exactly the case. The other "opportunity" found me.
It's funny...everyone typically thinks they have figured out what my new opportunity will be. The consensus is something like "you're going to be working with Steve aren't you." (In case you hadn't heard that news...it is true. Steve did start his own company 'Strouty Nation Entertainment'.) But that is not the case.
On April 9th we heard the sobering words..."Your daughter has autism." I can't say I was shocked. She is different. She is special. She is...well our Cecily. It was NOT a feeling of relief. It was a sigh of "this is why it has been so hard!" We are still grieving. But I can honestly say these last 8 months of my life have changed me...for the better. There are so many stories that will be unfolded. And I have decided I am going to do that here. In this blog. So I can document this journey. And remember this season in my life that I know will change my life forever.
So today I let go of my job. For this career driven woman it has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I probably have idolized my job to an extent. I have let it become a part of my identity. I love everything about it! To be a part of Sony Music to start with. But mainly because of the artists! Their music has impacted my life in a way I never could have imagined! Monk & Neagle's "Dancing With The Angels" and Casting Crowns' "Praise You in This Storm" during the season when we lost my dad. Honestly the Casting Crowns song "I Know You're There" is one of my all time favorite songs! Third Day's whole "Revelation" record after I became a mom. Third Day was honestly a big reason why I moved to Nashville to begin with! I remember sending Kerrie Roberts' song "Keep Breathing" to multiple friends who were going through a tough time. Tenth Avenue North has had many songs that impacted my life, but I remember hearing "You Are More" for the first time when I was driving and I had to pull the car over as I wept. Revive's song "Blink" which always reminds me to stay in the moment. Lindsay McCaul's whole record "If It Leads Me Back" when I was on maternity leave with Cecily. Casting Crowns' song "Already There" and Matt Maher's "Lord, I Need You" as we started this journey with Cecily. And then Tim Timmons...basically his whole record "Cast My Cares" gets me through each day currently. There are so many more...too many to name! But what an honor it has been to also work with Royal Tailor, Leeland, Until June, Wavorly, Fireflight, T-Bone, Jars of Clay, Rebecca St. James, Building 429, One Sonic Society, Brandon Heath, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Moriah Peters, and more. None of this would have been possible without the Audio Adrenaline guys who took a chance and hired me as a Flicker Chick. Bob, Mark and Will you will always be big brothers to me! Glamorous Jo & Troy...we made the transition from Flicker to Provident and have remained strong! I'm also thankful to everyone at Provident. Special thanks to Terry Hemmings, Dean Diehl, Ben Howard, Darren Elrod, Mark Giles, Jim Colella, Jimmy Wheeler, Nina Williams, Holly Zabka, Jackie Marushka, Bryan Ward, Barbara Hughes, Vickie Willis & Jessie Peacock who have given me great advice and believed in me! Brian Dishon...you have taught me so much, believed in me, encouraged me and taught me so much about leadership! Thank you! My friends who have done great Radio...Karrie Hardwick, Jason Miller, Whitney Harrison, Jaclyn Shields, Holly Singleton, Hannah Lee, Chuckles Van Dyke, Katie Green, Shimmy, Ali Tigh, Sarah Leyda, Matt Mundt & Jennifer Boise. We have made some great memories! And to all the other Provident employees who would be way too long to list here...thank you for being friends and walking beside me in this journey. Steve Strout...well...I will save that for the blog posts ahead. You are everything to me...but you have taught me so much in the workplace as well. Lastly to all of my radio peeps across the country. You are a big reason why I have been able to do this for this long! I will be in touch!
It's funny...everyone typically thinks they have figured out what my new opportunity will be. The consensus is something like "you're going to be working with Steve aren't you." (In case you hadn't heard that news...it is true. Steve did start his own company 'Strouty Nation Entertainment'.) But that is not the case.
On April 9th we heard the sobering words..."Your daughter has autism." I can't say I was shocked. She is different. She is special. She is...well our Cecily. It was NOT a feeling of relief. It was a sigh of "this is why it has been so hard!" We are still grieving. But I can honestly say these last 8 months of my life have changed me...for the better. There are so many stories that will be unfolded. And I have decided I am going to do that here. In this blog. So I can document this journey. And remember this season in my life that I know will change my life forever.
So today I let go of my job. For this career driven woman it has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I probably have idolized my job to an extent. I have let it become a part of my identity. I love everything about it! To be a part of Sony Music to start with. But mainly because of the artists! Their music has impacted my life in a way I never could have imagined! Monk & Neagle's "Dancing With The Angels" and Casting Crowns' "Praise You in This Storm" during the season when we lost my dad. Honestly the Casting Crowns song "I Know You're There" is one of my all time favorite songs! Third Day's whole "Revelation" record after I became a mom. Third Day was honestly a big reason why I moved to Nashville to begin with! I remember sending Kerrie Roberts' song "Keep Breathing" to multiple friends who were going through a tough time. Tenth Avenue North has had many songs that impacted my life, but I remember hearing "You Are More" for the first time when I was driving and I had to pull the car over as I wept. Revive's song "Blink" which always reminds me to stay in the moment. Lindsay McCaul's whole record "If It Leads Me Back" when I was on maternity leave with Cecily. Casting Crowns' song "Already There" and Matt Maher's "Lord, I Need You" as we started this journey with Cecily. And then Tim Timmons...basically his whole record "Cast My Cares" gets me through each day currently. There are so many more...too many to name! But what an honor it has been to also work with Royal Tailor, Leeland, Until June, Wavorly, Fireflight, T-Bone, Jars of Clay, Rebecca St. James, Building 429, One Sonic Society, Brandon Heath, Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Moriah Peters, and more. None of this would have been possible without the Audio Adrenaline guys who took a chance and hired me as a Flicker Chick. Bob, Mark and Will you will always be big brothers to me! Glamorous Jo & Troy...we made the transition from Flicker to Provident and have remained strong! I'm also thankful to everyone at Provident. Special thanks to Terry Hemmings, Dean Diehl, Ben Howard, Darren Elrod, Mark Giles, Jim Colella, Jimmy Wheeler, Nina Williams, Holly Zabka, Jackie Marushka, Bryan Ward, Barbara Hughes, Vickie Willis & Jessie Peacock who have given me great advice and believed in me! Brian Dishon...you have taught me so much, believed in me, encouraged me and taught me so much about leadership! Thank you! My friends who have done great Radio...Karrie Hardwick, Jason Miller, Whitney Harrison, Jaclyn Shields, Holly Singleton, Hannah Lee, Chuckles Van Dyke, Katie Green, Shimmy, Ali Tigh, Sarah Leyda, Matt Mundt & Jennifer Boise. We have made some great memories! And to all the other Provident employees who would be way too long to list here...thank you for being friends and walking beside me in this journey. Steve Strout...well...I will save that for the blog posts ahead. You are everything to me...but you have taught me so much in the workplace as well. Lastly to all of my radio peeps across the country. You are a big reason why I have been able to do this for this long! I will be in touch!
Tomorrow starts the new journey. I embrace the growth, pruning and amazing memories that will be created. Lord, let me see You every day as I wake, and let me be focused on the ways You will show up in life, as opposed to what I am missing out on. Let me sense Your grace around me, and mostly keep me in each moment with Cecily. May You allow for us to create the most special relationship. And for the work we put in, may it bless me and be fruitful in Cecily's life.
