Beth Logo
June 2007
A Moment For You
Sign Up
Quick Links
Greetings!

You deserve a short break. Take a deep breath, relax those shoulders, and enjoy this "Moment for You."

Chaude and Alisha
I am carried back to that darkened auditorium, listening to the familiar strains of "Pomp and Circumstances" as another group of bright kids walks into the future. They are full of hope and promise, alternately giggling and overwhelmed by the gravity of the occasion.

"There they are!" Parents and friends shout as they figure out which robed kid is theirs. In Hawaii this is not easy. About 75% of the girls have long dark hair, and most are the same height. Ahh, but they see me first. One twin and then the other waves and giggles at me. I break the rules and run down to hug one before getting steered sternly back to my seat.

I have waited a long time for this. I've helped raise seven step kids and these two beautiful girls are the last to graduate from high school. These are not children I birthed, but they are children of my heart. I always told them I would walk through fire for them, and nothing was going to keep me from their high school graduations.

Three of the four girls and I met the next day over ice cream and giggled over silly things; stories about love and life, as though no time had passed since I moved to Phoenix. This moment was the payoff all parents wait for. The defining moment when you know that your 'investment' of time, tears, energy, worry, wonder, joy, and infinite love was all worth it.

Not that I had any doubts. I've had many conversations with each of them over the years. All my girls have turned out beautifully, graduating with honors; stars on their basketball teams. They are wonderful young ladies who have navigated their share of bumps in the road along the way. Together we figured out how to be resilient and survive all the insanity.

"Aunty Beth, living with you is like living in a seminar!" One of them shouted over her sisters' giggles many years ago.

We had a great talk. What brought tears to my eyes and made all the blood drain from my body, though, was when one said, "We wouldn't have turned out so good if it weren't for you." After all the fire I've walked through; after all the craziness and difficulties in my life because of some of my decisions and the decisions of others; after it all - here was the reason. Here was the reward.

What I didn't tell you, my sweet girls, is this: It wasn't me who saved YOUR life; you saved mine. You taught me how to love. You taught me how to live. You taught me that investments in the bank are worthless compared to the gold in that one remark. I may have been one of the adults in your life who loved you and helped you 'turn out good," kiddo, but I know that I would not be who I am today without the four of you in my life.

Every one of us influences others. We often don't get to find out if it's positive or negative, but it's there nevertheless. If we are lucky, we are hanging out with people that lift us up while we are lifting them.

I have been fortunate to have the wonderful gift of that experience. Had I won a trillion dollars, it would not have felt better than those moments of acknowledgment from my beautiful girls.

If you are a parent, create a goal for that conversation with your kids some day in the future. Envision them telling you how much you helped them. Hold that thought in your mind when the going gets tough -- and it will get tough. Remind yourself that this particular little difficult moment in time will pass, and what they will remember is how you handled it. Remember you are influencing their future and their kids' futures.

Remember who you are.

Malama pono, (Take care)
Beth
It's not only children who grow. Parents do too. As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours. I can't tell my children to reach for the sun. All I can do is reach for it, myself. ~Joyce Maynard

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings. ~Hodding Carter, Jr.
bethTruck.jpg
A Few Announcements from Beth's office:
Phone number change for Hawaii clients: As of June 30, 2007, we will no longer have an 808 area code cell phone. Please change your address books to either the Toll F ree number - 877 - 672-5008, or Beth's cell phone: 602 - 743-9296

To book Beth, contact us and get on the schedule!

Beth has a few days left in her August Hawaii schedule. Save on Airfare and book Beth while she is there. She still has dates open the week of August 27!

This is so exciting! Beth's new Brains, Balance & Burnout Blog is up and running. Go to Corporate Cowgirl.com and check it out today! Let us know what you think!

Beth's new book is underway. Keep an eye out for surveys and opportunities to participate. She's looking at corporate cultures and stress. If you have any stories to contribute, send an email to Beth and add your two cents!

Need a Referral in Hawaii: One of my readers and friends is in need of assistance. We are looking for information on nursing care of an elderly parent. As always, this is stressful and costly. If you have knowledge of good care workers or a good facility that won't break the bank, please let me know and I will pass it on.
Check out these links:
Looking for less expensive, less toxic ways to manage your life and home? I love this site: The Green Guide

Getting ready to travel this summer and not sure what you can take on the plane? Remember the 3-1-1 rule: Nothing bigger than 3 oz of liquid. Put everything in a 1 Quart plastic bag, only bring 1 plastic bag on board with you. I can't put the link here due to s pam filters, but type in minimus [dot] biz -- It's a pretty cool site and has some kits for military if you are sending out care packages.
Xena's new couch
Hi From Xena and her brand new couch!
First, I want to thank Doreen at SSFM Engineering in Honolulu for my beautiful new couch! I love the flowers. It reminds me of home. You are very sweet to remember my birthday! I'm 8 this month! Wow. It seems like only yesterday I was just a little thing.