The blessings continue, as I'm able to move on

It’s been seven months since I had my aneurysm, and stroke. It was traumatic and life changing. I’ve lost my apartment, my possessions, my job, and the life style I was comfortable and familiar with – But, what I have is more valuable than any of these things. I have my life, my brain, my family, and my friends. And, therefore, I am blessed.

When I first woke up from my coma, I was told I’d have a job to come back to as soon as I was well enough to come back to work, but with the market the way it is, going back to the search firm in Atlanta may not be the best option.

My brother and his family have cared for me all this time. And, now I’m planning to move on. Its very much like I’m starting all over – like a person who has been born again. In fact, I’m going to stay with a friend who has a house in New York, and who is kind enough to welcome me in, offering a place to stay while I pound the pavement, looking for a new job. It’s a tough market out there, but I have my faith, a good skill set, and lots of contacts… And therefore, I’m confident, there’s a job out there with my name on it. I also feel strongly that I’ll have a better opportunity finding work there than any place else. The job market is depressed throughout the country, but based on my research it seems there’s more going on there, than in other places. Plus, I have lots of relationships there.

I feel good about staying with my friend. We’ve been friends for many years, and she has 11 rooms in her house and lives alone. She can use the company, and so can I. We’ll be like the Golden Girls, only younger and better looking… (smile). I’m excited about this. And, I know that I am truly blessed!

This entire experience has presented an amazing opportunity for me. I obviously needed to take time out, look at things from a different vantage point, and reevaluate the path I’ll take moving forward. There is so much to consider as I do this. I plan to keep everything in mind, as I go forward. I’m very much aware of the huge blessing I’ve received that I’m alive, still. My goal is to celebrate my life, and to proceed with diligence, as well as a super positive outlook.
I haven’t made the best choices in the past, but I won’t dwell on any of them. I have a future to look forward to, and I have my health, and thank God, the ability to reason, to strategize and to solve problems. I almost lost these things and therefore, I do not take any of them for granted. Lee Iacocca, learned these lessons about determination – “I learned about the strength you can get from a close family life. I learned to keep going, even in bad times. I learned not to despair, even when my world was falling apart. I learned that there are no free lunches. And I learned the value of hard work.”

I’ve also learned the same lessons as I journey through my brain attack, rehabilitation and recovery. I am an admirer of Lee Iacocca and I greatly respect his insights and accomplishments. I will take his lessons with me as I go on, and incorporate them into my value system as I move forward.
This is a most exciting time for me. I hope to see you again as I’m doing my thing in the big city!