Forks in the road are on my mind today. Opportunities that come and go and chances taken and missed. Help from friends when those big moments happen around us can be so critical. For example, my career would look VERY different if not for the presence of a wonderful woman who celebrates a birthday today. When I was abruptly laid off from a public relations job - I floundered for a mere month (a blip on the screen of most people's experience with unemployment) because of the help I got from a friend.
Marianne is one of the most generous and thoughtful people you will ever have the pleasure to meet, trust me. Being on the receiving end of her thoughtfulness is a lovely place to be. She puts family first always. I dislike wondering what would have happened to me if she hadn't recommended me for a blog writing position at GRAPHISOFT North America. I knew nothing - I mean NOTHING about architecture some ten years ago... still, she gave me a shot. This reliable, challenging and rewarding position has sustained my family financially ever since and I am eternally grateful.
Flash forward to today, and together we've done a LOT of good work and had a lot of good laughs. We've traveled to Boston, Chicago, Denver, San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, Philadelphia, New York City, New Orleans, Atlanta and Washington D.C. together. I'm probably forgetting a stop or two.
Her adventurous and fun-loving spirit is equally happy moments before she's about to Bungee jump off of a tall building in Las Vegas as it is walking a job site in a hard hat.
She's an amazing colleague, mentor and cheerleader - routinely advocating for others, putting her faith in another to be his or her best self. I am so very grateful she plays such a big role in my life.
Happy birthday to a class act - to Marianne, an amazing woman I am fortunate to call friend and blessed to call family.
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