If you see any tears, they are all happy

As I write, I feel mom staring at me through the picture you see above. 

This is a celebratory letter. 

These are celebratory words. 

And that’s a celebratory smile. 

Look at her. 

Mom is proud of me. 

On November 11th, 2020 I signed up for Akimbo’s Story Skills Workshop, taught by Bernadette Jiwa. 

My goal was to learn how to tell business stories.

One day during the workshop we were asked to share a story.

I remember sitting and thinking..

What is the softest, fluffiest, most impersonal story I can tell? 

I just want to learn how to tell a story. 

Just teach me how to tell a story. 

But I don’t want to actually tell a story. 

There I was, thinking..

What story could I possibly tell?

Knowing deep down there was only one. 

But I never told that story. 

That story makes me afraid. 

It’s so personal. 

What if it makes me cry? 

It’s my story and now I’m being asked to give..

But it was time..

Yet it’s the same time I felt most afraid.

I remember my heart racing. 

Feeling the fear within. 

The chills.

The goosebumps. 

Still..

I reached deep down and unsuppressed the story that so desperately wanted to be written. 

There.

I did it. 

I danced with fear and used it as my compass. 

The massive weight was now lifted.

I’ve been freed to do so many incredible things.

It took courage to write that story. 

and 

I received all the more. 

The fear led to courage and that courage has led me ever since. 

Thank you.

Soon after the workshop ended, I was contacted by Akimbo's Provost.

She offered me an opportunity to return as a coach. 

Since that time I’ve coached in each of the last five sessions, having the opportunity to coach well over a thousand students. 

And then October 11, 2021 happened. 

I was once again emailed by our Provost, but this time she was offering me the opportunity to take a step up and become the Head Coach for our September 22’ session. 

What if I never gave my story? 

What if I held on as if it couldn’t help others (or myself).

What if I never followed the fear? 

9-11 would be so much different for me. 

But here it is, 9-11

And I’m celebrating. 

Celebrating the life of my beautiful mother. 

Celebrating the fact that I can write you this letter.

And celebrating all the good that has emerged from a world shaking emergency. 

This is a celebratory letter. 

These are celebratory words. 

And that is a celebratory smile. 

Mom is proud of me.

If you see any tears, they are all happy. 

Look at her.