Miracle on 38th Street

My car was loaded down with clothing and two trucks full of my furniture were following not far behind.  I was making another move - another big change for me.  This time from the corn fields of Illinois to Indianapolis, Indiana.  Excitement flowed through me as I marveled at the snow falling on my windshield.

I pulled into my new apartment complex and headed to the leasing office to pick up my key.  A friendly face was there to greet me at the door.  “Now Holly I need to caution you that there have been recent reports of break-ins,” Tarrie said.  She explained that the stories were not consistent and the authorities believed connections were involved.  Due to company policy, Tarrie was not able to give me much more information than that.  She assured me police lived on the property and would frequently patrol the area.  Tarrie also reminded me that my apartment was upstairs which was better for safety.

I thanked Tarrie for her honesty as worry began to settle in my mind.  When my friends arrived to help me with the boxes and furniture, I told them of the security scare.  They reminded me that I should always use caution and be aware of my surroundings. I agreed.  After all I have always been cautious and queen of locking doors.  I just didn’t want to feel nervous about the move when I had yet to step one foot into my new apartment.

I tried not to worry as we began the dreadful task of unloading box after box.  All the while though, the break-in story stayed fresh in my mind.  I did manage to get a good night’s sleep but awoke thinking about the break-ins.  There was lots of shopping to be done and I knew my worry would have to wait.    A good friend suggested traveling about one mile to 38^th Street for good food and shopping. I had a list and I was ready. I was not prepared for the miracle I would receive.

Every place I went people were so kind, so happy.  Starting with Red Lobster where the greeter looked sincerely happy to see me.  The waiter was attentive, fast and friendly.  Another waitress, with a big grin, gave me great directions to Pier One.  The Staple’s salesman was funny and kept saying witty things to get me to buy.  The woman at the check-out counter at Target thanked me for being patient while she learned how to work her register.  And the salesman at Office Depot – let’s just say I could not make a decision on office furniture and he did not seem to mind.  His patience was amazing.  Even the random man that approached me for money said please and thank you. 

After a day of shopping, I was no longer worried about my safety.  I was reminded that good people live everywhere.  I felt good about the change I was making.  I looked forward to the positive relationships I would build.  I became excited at the thought of making new friends.  My confidence in people was restored.  Worry no longer consumed my thoughts.  I was smiling inside and out.

On what could have been a stressful day of shopping and adjusting to change, I received my miracle just a mile down the road on 38^th Street.  

An Inspiration in Pink

She blew into the salon like a breath of fresh air.  Her smile was bright.  Her hair and make-up were flawless.  She wore tight fittin’ jeans that would turn men’s head.  High heel boots only made the spring in her step more visible.  And she was wearing the most gorgeous pink sweater.

Rose, my hair stylist, excused herself to hug her neck and take the load of pink sweaters from her arms.  They laughed and giggled about various things and off the lady in pink went.

When Rose came back I asked to see one of the pink sweaters that she was holding.  As soon as I felt the sweater, I knew I had to have one.  The material felt like a soft, warm robe that you would want to bundle up in every chance you got.

Rose explained she was selling more than just a pink sweater.  The proceeds from all the sweaters go to the Sharon L Bassett fund, a breast cancer foundation.  Rose had lost her own mother to breast cancer and I wasn’t surprised she was willing to support this special foundation.

What shocked me was the story behind the Sharon L Bassett fund.  The lady in pink, the one I thought was the breath of fresh air, had breast cancer.  She looked like she had life by the strings yet still was undergoing treatment for breast cancer. 

But Rose explained she was a survivor.  She had chosen to fight and make a difference with the discouraging hand life had dealt her.

The Sharon L Bassett fund helps provide transportation to breast cancer treatments for low-income women.  And Sharon herself was one of the women providing the transportation.  She was sharing her struggle and fight with women who were dealing with the same battle.  And she did this with a huge smile on her face that made you believe life was good.

I sat through the rest of my hair appointment thinking about Sharon and how her choice to make a difference has influenced and inspired so many.

Of course I left the salon with a soft, beautiful pink sweater.  But I also left with the reminder that one person can make a difference.  And every time I see that pink sweater in my closet or wear it, it humbles me that I am blessed with so much and it reminds me to find ways to help other people.

I challenge you to find ways to help others regardless of your situation. 

 The opportunities to give are unlimited:

·         A warm embrace

·         A prayer

·         A listening ear

·         A donation to a local charity

·         A hand-written note

·         Your time

·         Volunteering at your local shelter

And I hope you receive your own pink sweater, a special something to remind you that you can indeed make a difference!

Your Leadership Shopping List

‘Tis the season to give. And finding the right gift to give the people on your team can be challenging. Oprah Winfrey once said, “It doesn’t matter what the thing is; what matters is how much of yourself goes into the giving, so that when the gift is gone, the spirit of you lingers.” This is especially true for leaders. When you give of yourself you build character and credibility both for you and your organization.
Below are ways you can give this Christmas (or anytime during the year) that won’t put a dent in your budget. 

1. Acknowledge people everyday. A colleague of mine, Wayne Sellers, greets everyone with a handshake each morning. That few minutes he spends encouraging his staff is much more beneficial than one more cup of coffee or answering the emails waiting in his inbox. Too many people to make that work? Divide up by departments and appoint someone to be the morning greeter for each group.

2. Recognize important dates. Birthdays and company anniversaries matter. Add dates to your outlook calendar or palm pilot then set a reminder. Everyone likes to be recognized on their special day. And they will be impressed that you remembered.

3. Include people in decisions that affect their department. Listen to their concerns. Be open to their input. If it directly affects their department and you don’t have their buy in, the decision will most likely be ineffective anyway. Even if it is a mandatory policy, let their voice be heard. Sometimes just venting their feelings is enough to get people on board.

4. Acknowledge their work. Be specific about the things they do well. A simple pat on the back or hand written note can be powerful at building an employee’s professional esteem.

5. Learn more about others.  Their work style, their interest, and their family.  The more you know the easier it will be to lead others based on their individual needs.

6. Surprise them.  Unexpected rewards are great for building morale.  If people finish a project on time and under budget, have Friday jean day or cater in lunch or let everyone leave early one day the next week.

7. Care. Really care.  If someone is having a bad day, ask them what’s wrong.  If a team member has to take medical leave, call to check on them.  When someone loses a loved one, show your condolences.

8. Leave your door open. This radiates an open door policy. When people believe they can come to you with any problems, issues or concerns, you open the door to know exactly what is going on in your organization.

9. Give people creative freedom. A team full of people who problem solve and brainstorm only your ideas will create a stagnate organization. Let them think ‘out of the box’ and watch your organization grow.

10. Be human. Admit when you make a mistake. Laugh at their jokes. Share stories about your family. People need a leader they can relate to.

You may be thinking a few of these ‘gifts’ are obvious. Perhaps you already give several of the ‘gifts’ on this list. Or maybe you found a few new ones for your shopping list. At the core of all of these gifts is you. Whether it is the ten gifts on this list or any of 100 others give you this holiday season – and make it a habit the whole year through.

A Yellow & Green Christmas

It was a Saturday afternoon where I was learning how to bake persimmon cookies.  And not just any persimmon cookies but Grandma Mary’s recipe.  She was eager to teach and I was amazed at how she never had to measure anything. 

This was my first Christmas away from my family but Grandma Mary had a way of making her farm feel like home.  While we waited for the cookies to bake we shared stories of Christmas’ past.  Her favorite Christmas story is one I shall never forget.

There was an extra box left under the tree and Mervin agreed that Grandma Mary should open it up.  She knew immediately the present was for her and didn’t waste time tearing off the wrapping to see what was inside.  As she opened the lid to an old shoe box there inside was a pair of tap shoes.  Not just any tap shoes.

Mervin had taken a pair of Mary’s shoes and added taps to the bottom.  The shoes were painted John Deere green complete with yellow laces.

Why John Deere green tap shoes you may wonder?

Apparently Mary had mentioned she would like to tap dance.  It became a standing joke with the family.  And what other color should a farmer’s wife tap shoes be but John Deere green. 

Mervin paid attention and gave Grandma Mary a gift that would make her smile for years to come.

After the last batch of cookies were out of the oven, Mary had a surprise for me.  She asked that go in her closet and pull out the shoe box on the top shelf.  I immediately wondered if Grandma Mary had saved those tap shoes.  We opened the box together and there they were – John Deere tap shoes.

I couldn’t believe she still had them.  Mervin had passed away ten years ago but that didn’t matter.  Those shoes were a reminder of him and his thoughtfulness to her.  Grandma Mary confessed that the tap shoes had always been one of her favorite gifts.

Not long after Christmas Grandma Mary had to start dialysis and eventually went into the nursing home.  We joked about her getting well so she could put on her John Deere tap shoes.  Each time I mentioned the tap shoes she would smile regardless of how bad she felt.  Grandma Mary never did get to tap dance again but I am confident she and Mervin are tapping together this Christmas.

A Home for the Altima

I arrived at the corporate office to find Donna (our HR Director) with a huge smile on her face and I was eager to know why she was in such a great mood.  Turns out, Donna was getting to pick up her brand new SUV this week.  Her Nissan Altima was still working but had high mileage, a dent from where she hit a pole and didn’t want to claim it on her insurance plus she really wanted a vehicle with more room.   The new vehicle was beautiful and had all the bells and whistles. I could tell Donna was in love.  We discussed all the miles and memories we had all the years of driving the Altima for work trips.  When I asked what she was getting for a trade in, Donna hesitated then admitted she wasn’t going to trade in the Altima after all.

Angie (our co-worker) and I immediately started to lecture Donna about not having that old car just sitting in her driveway. Donna likes to keep things longer than she should and we knew they would probably give her $1,000 trade-in on it.  Donna adamantly said she couldn’t just trade in a perfectly good car because she knew there was someone that needed it. “But you have to pick up your car in two days.  How are you going to find someone to buy your car in two days? Just trade it in,” I said.  Donna fired back, “no you don’t understand.  My family friends sold me their older vehicle to me for $250 when I was a single mom and that car got me to and from college every day.  I had a decent vehicle for school, for my son and it was a blessing.”  Well I had to admit that was a great story and the car would definitely help someone in need.  Angie promised to try to help her find someone to sell the car to and I told Donna to call me when she was driving her new ride and it we left it at that.

Donna called me on Friday morning asking if I was traveling towards Princeton, Indiana but I was actually heading in the other direction.  When I inquired why, Donna admitted she still had the Altima and was going to have to drive it to Princeton (she lives in Indianapolis), find a friend’s house to leave it at and pick up her new car.  I apologized that I couldn’t take her but secretly was glad the old Altima wouldn’t be sitting in her driveway.  She promised to call after she figured out what she was going to do with the Altima and was driving her new car.

After about 4 hours into my drive, Donna finally called with an update.  Her friend Christy had recommended she call her insurance company to see if she qualified for accident forgiveness.  She could pay her deductible, get the car fixed and put the car on a local lot in Princeton that will sell the vehicle for her and take their commission cut.  I thought it was a great plan but I could tell Donna still really wanted her car to go to someone in need.  “Just go call the insurance company and see what they tell you and call me back,” I bossed.

About an hour later Donna called back and said I would not believe what all has happened.  She called the insurance company and did qualify for accident forgiveness which was great.  “I will only have to pay the deductible to get the car fixed and Shelly (insurance agent) has someone who needs my car,” Donna said.  Shelly’s young son and daughter-in-law have two children and share one vehicle that is only a two door.  The Altima is four doors which would make it easier for them to get the children in and out.  Plus the daughter-in-law just registered for college courses at Vincennes University and they were going to have to figure out how to manage with one car.  Shelly then asked how much Donna wanted for the vehicle.  Donna was only asking the costs of the deductible which when Shelly looked was $250, the same price Donna paid for her first car.  “Donna I just can’t believe this.  God knew you wanted to share this car with someone in need and he found a way just one hour before you pick up your new car.” I was shocked.  Donna said, “That’s not all Holly.  The couple getting the car is Gabe’s cousin on his father’s side.” (Gabe is Donna’s son that was taken too early from her in a car wreck as a teenager). 

I couldn’t catch my breath.  Donna said she was in between awe and crying her eyes out.  We hung up the phone and I started to cry.  Donna had no idea what she was going to do with the Nissan Altima.  She just knew she wanted to give it to someone in need.  But the amazingly cool thing is God knew all along right where that Nissan Altima would end up. 

The old Nissan Altima became a Christmas miracle to one family and a Christmas blessing to Donna.  May your Christmas be full of giving and miracles!

A Hairy Lesson

Everyone handles stress differently.   Some people run, clean or even cry when stressed.  I get my hair washed.  And this had been one of those days when I knew a trip to the salon was in the very near future.  So off I go for my $8.00 hair wash and dry. 

Dee takes me back to the wash sink and starts to work her magic as she massages my scalp.  Then we head off to the dryer.  I typically immediately fall asleep once she begins to dry my hair but this day was different.  I felt restless, I couldn’t relax and no matter how hard I tried to nap, the nap wasn’t happening.  I didn’t share my frustration with Dee and kept my eyes closed when all of the sudden I heard the sweetest elderly voice.  I opened my eyes to see a lady probably in her mid 70s but she hardly had any hair.

The stylists asked if they were going to just trim it and the little lady nodded her head.  I could not imagine why in the world this little lady was going to cut her hair.  I closed my eyes so I wouldn’t stare.  I soon learned the lady’s name was Gena.

Gena’s stylist asked if she had her last round of chemo and radiation.  Gena reported she had her last radiation treatment two weeks ago and chemo had been over for a month or so.  She was still awaiting the last of her scans to ensure she was in fact cancer free.  Gena then asked the stylist how she thought her hair was doing as far as growing back.  The stylist assured Gena there was lots of new growth.  She also encouraged Gena to keep getting regular trims to cut off any dead hair so new growth could come in even quicker.  Gena told the stylist she was using the special shampoo/conditioner every day and really felt like it had helped. 

I listened as Gena and her stylist talked about lots of things such as the holidays, family and even the weather.  I could tell the appointment was drawing near to being over.  I opened my eyes to see the stylist pointing to new hair growth in the back.  Gena looked in the mirror and looked up at her stylist and asked, “How long until my hair completely grows back in?”  The stylist was choosing her response carefully I could tell.  “Well” the stylist said, “it will probably be at least 6 weeks.”  Gena said, “Well okay.  I was hoping for my hair back for Christmas but I can wait until the New Year especially if I get to start my holiday’s cancer free.”

I closed my eyes back, touched my hair and immediately said two prayers … one of thanksgiving for my health and all the hair on my head and one for Gena, that she gets her holiday wish to be cancer free and to have her hair back. 

I left the salon actually thankful for the stressful day I had and even more thankful that I couldn’t nap because I was given a greater gift than relaxation.  I was given Gena’s story.  Her story (and my hair) reminds me, even in the most stressful of days, I am blessed beyond measure.

May this holiday season be stress-free for you and yours.  And if it’s not, may someone cross your path (like Gena) who reminds you to focus on your blessings. 

Home for the Holidays

It was a normal work day meeting with an administrator of one of our nursing homes to discuss strategies to grow the business.  A family member noticed the door open and came in to tell Becca, the administrator, hello.  I was introduced to the daughter and Frances.  Frances was one of our Residents at the nursing home.  I exchanged pleasantries then I bent down to say hello to the Resident who was in a wheelchair.  She had her head down and was softly sobbing.

When I inquired as to why Frances was crying, she began to cry even harder.  Her daughter explained that she desperately missed her home.  Then Frances spoke up, “Why can’t I at least see my home.  I miss it so much.”

Becca did a great job trying to distract the Frances explaining how she used to work with her daughter.  She also mentioned all the fun things the facility does for the holiday season.  Becca was trying anything to help take France’s mind off her home without any luck.  Over and over Frances kept saying, “I miss my home.  Please just let me see my home.”

Becca and I mentioned to the daughter that she should take her mom for a ride.  They could drive past the old neighborhood and Frances could look at home at least from the outside.  The daughter appreciated the suggestion but felt that would just make it harder on her mom since she couldn’t actually go inside and stay.  The daughter finally convinced Frances to head outside with her and they would take a walk around the facility.

I said goodbye to the daughter then leaned down to give Frances a hug.  The sadness in her eyes is something I will never forget.  I knew the one thing the Resident wanted she would never have again, her home. 

It was difficult to concentrate the rest of the afternoon as thoughts of Frances weighed heavy on my heart.  I also thought about my Thanksgiving trip coming up and how I would be home in just another week.  What a blessing I have been given to have two homes, one in Indianapolis and one back in Alabama!

What if, like the Resident, we never got to go home again?  What if home wasn’t where we got to spend our holidays at all?  What if we spent the holidays fighting for freedom on foreign soil or spreading God’s word to an impoverished country or we were sick and hospitalized or we were destined to spend our last days in the nursing home? Or what if we didn’t have a home at all and lived on the streets?

Frances was a strong reminder that not everyone is as blessed with the comforts of home during the holiday season.  And our holidays shouldn’t be just about giving gifts but celebrating the blessings God has given us …  family, good friends, health , and of course home. 

May you celebrate the joys of the holiday season with those you love and in the comforts of a place you are blessed to have …. HOME! 

Christmas Traditions

One of my personal holiday traditions is to write a Christmas story that is included with my Christmas cards.  I wrote the first story in 2003 when I had recently moved to Indianapolis.  The Christmas story was a way I shared a life lesson I had learned from that year.  I am pulling out the old Christmas stories of the next few weeks and every few days sharing one with you.  My hope is that they touch my readers in some way and they keep me passionate to write more in 2014.

What are the Christmas traditions you plan to carry into this holiday season?

3 Reasons to Stop Celebrating National Boss Day

National Boss Day is held every year on October 16^th or the nearest working day.  When I saw the calendar reminder pop up I starting asking myself why we even celebrate National Boss Day.  Shouldn’t we be celebrating leaders instead? Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could move from Boss Day to Leader Day?  So I developed three reasons I think we should start celebrating leaders instead of bosses.

1. Being a boss is easy.  Think about it.  Anybody can tell someone what to do as long as they have an audience.  But a leader requires skill, training and years of practice to be exceptional at it.
2. A boss tells people what to do.  A boss will often have the it’s my way or the highway mentality.  Whereas a leader inspires others to want to do.  Whether a leader is getting buy-in on a direction, asking for input on a decision or creating a vision for their employees.  Employees will naturally follow a good leader and not because they have to.
3. A boss is “me” focused.  I need this done today.  I told you to fix this immediately.  A leader is “them” focused.  We can accomplish this. What does the team need to make this happen.

 Now I will admit that I made sure my boss had a card for National Boss Day but I also made sure it was one focused on what I appreciate and what he does well as a leader.  I also shared my thoughts with other leaders in our organization who agreed we should change the reason we celebrate this day.  And one of my coworkers found this cool Boss versus Leader chart that outlines my line of thinking as well.  This chart really made me think. What I could do to move my role from a boss to leader?  Which word would my employees use to describe me – boss or leader?  What do I need to work on to be a better leader?

"She is clothed...

"She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” Psalms 31:25