Final Post

There is a chill in the air in the morning when I walk Dahlia. Boisterous and happy kids from Seattle Arts & Science Academy are starting to fill the sidewalks and descend on our neighborhood. There are trees that are starting to turn towards fall colors. The sun sets, now, at 7:30 p.m. Things are changing.

All of this before Labor Day.

It’s been almost a year since WaMu went down, imploded, died, (fill in your favorite word). And yet, going into fall, unlike last year, I feel a sense of peace and calm. No longer am I harbored and anchored in the midst of a violent storm. Instead, the waters are still and the air is clear. I’m still anchored and know I am safe. I also know, that because the weather is good, I must start to chart a path forward. Go to new places. See what I can do outside my comfort zone.

With a new rhythm and cadence.

I liken this to when you go on vacation. Or at least when James and I go on vacation. At first, our pace is fast and fierce, we march from museum to lunch to another museum , etc. We whiz by locals, are irritated at their slowness. What are they doing, strolling, in the middle of the day?

And then, about five or six days into it, we find ourselves walking arm in arm, enjoying the smells and sights and freedom of being…just being. And it’s a gift when you recognize you are in that moment.

Truth be told – I haven’t been in “vacation mode” yet. If that means slowing down vs. just doing what I know I can do and what’s before me. I feel lucky to have client work, but I jumped into that immediately. I never stood back and asked myself what is going to matter and what difference I want to make in the world. Maybe we could say “mid-life crisis” – at 43 I think that’s a bit premature! But I do want to take advantage of the gift I’ve been given. The gift of time to reflect and take positive action towards a future that I want.

So as autumn comes our way, I will look at the falling leaves differently. Not a symbol of winter ahead but a shedding of the old so that the new can emerge.

This is my last post on Pinkslip. I thank all of you for “listening” to my musings. I don’t think a pink slip defines me anymore. I’m getting ready for the “big show” whatever that means and thinking back fondly at all of the wonderful memories I have had working with the most talented and gracious people I could ever hope to know.

This isn’t a goodbye, of course. Just me saying…pink doesn’t look good on me. Never has, never will.

Cheers! kd