February 2007

Sometimes it’s hard to believe that my company has been in business for 15 years.  Where does the time go?  I remember when my children were little and someone told me, “it all goes by so fast, one slow day at a time.”  Indeed.  Now it seems the days rush by like a cool winter wind pushing me home. My darling girl is a senior in high school and making ready for college. My precious son is a sophomore, and will soon have his driver’s license. And me? I’m taking it all in—trying to remain present for all the activities that represent life.

Celebration is a big part of leading an authentic life. I believe that by taking the time to commemorate milestones, we create lasting impressions in our minds of what success feels like. Savor it.  Otherwise, life can in short order become one blaze of activity after another, with no stop time.  I like to press the pause button on the remote control of life and give thanks for all the gifts I’ve been given.

Our 15th year in business is a gift of abundance—or maybe sheer tenacity and will power—I’m not quite sure. To celebrate, Modcom is holding a benefit in late April.  The proceeds from this event will go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Rachel Cannon, one of my business partners, has an nine-year-old daughter with Type 1 Diabetes. In my mind both Rachel and her daughter are the down-in-the-trenches, unsung heroes that go unheralded.  So much love, devotion and hyper-vigilance is required to stay on top of this life threatening disease. If I was wearing a hat I would take it off to Rachel and her daughter as a sign of respect and admiration for their daily challenge of living. I hope that our benefit will raise money to fund the great work already under way to find a cure. 

How does one go about creating a benefit?Well I can tell you from experience that working in a group setting results in way more creativity than working alone. Plus, I so much want emotional support to guide my neurosis through this process. I began by gathering a group of the brightest women I know. Most all of them are business owners, and one woman is so full of creative energy that just being around her makes me feel like taking over the world.

We met for lunch at Scott’s Seafood in Folsom. After appetizers of calamari and shrimp; crab bisque soup; various aquatic sandwiches and salads, we were ready to roll up our sleeves and start planning. As a project manager, I like to run a tight ship and this personal effort was no different.  I had an agenda complete with a task list.  Let’s kick some ass. I need help—big time. And so it went. We sketched out potential dates, venues, themes, budget, and even had time for jokes along with raucous laughter. In short—we mixed business with pleasure—a winning combination that gladdens the heart.

Now I am left with the task of implementing the ideas. Right now it appears that the benefit will be held on April 28 in Rancho Cordova from 6 – 9 p.m. The party theme will be—are you ready?

The 70’s.....

Wear your Hang Ten t-shirts, wallabies, and bell bottoms. It will be a catered event with wine tasting offered from local vineyards. There will be live music, donated raffle prizes, and maybe even 70’s celebrity impersonators. Who knows? You could have your picture taken with Leif Garret, Cher or maybe even Eric Estrada. The cost for this event will be $35 per person with all the proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

As a thank you gift to my planning committee, I gave them each a pre-packaged chrysanthemum bulb complete with potting soil and a cute green pot. The emerging blossom represents Modcom’s benefit celebration. I placed my nascent bulb on the windowsill where the gentle winter sun shines on it, offering life. I know that nature will have its way and soon a vibrant red flower will blossom with all its beauty and splendor—a sight to behold. For now I am content watching it grow. I know all too well how fast time passes—one slow day at a time.