I’m still here
Just in case you were wondering. My long absence had much to do with a conference I attended in Indianapolis. It was the AHRD conference. Initially I wanted to go because my dad was receiving two honors: Best Text Book in HRD for 2006, and he was being inducted into the Scholar Hall of Fame (which is a HUGE deal if you’re in the industry). I was really proud, and wanted to be there for it.
Once I got there, I was so glad for many reasons. First, I was able to spend some quality time with my older brother, alone. The first night there we went to the Women’s Big 10 Basketball Tournament where the MN Gophers were playing. It was just the two of us. I can’t tell you the last time my brother and I spent time alone where work wasn’t involved. It made me realize how much I miss him, and how sad I am that our families are not close. (He barely knows my kids, and I barely know his. Yet, we only live 2 miles from each other.) I’ve decided that I don’t want to continue this way. I’m going to try getting together with him next week to talk about it, and see if we can’t find a way to bridge the gap between us.
I also had forgotten how wonderful it felt to have my mind challenged. The company my brother, dad, and I own is an HRD consulting company. The concepts, ideas, thoughts are not new to me, but I did have a chance to attend some sessions where I just didn’t agree with the presenters. I was so excited to feel a part of something bigger again. I don’t think I’ve really felt that way since Sophia was born. I’ve already agreed to write at least one paper for next year, and present it. I can’t wait! (And, the conference is in Panama City, FL next year! Yay!)
My mom and I shared a room while my dad and brother shared a room. This gave me yet another great chance to spend some alone/one-on-one time with my mom. No kids, no spouses, no interruptions. We did some shopping, ate together, and just sat in our room talking. It was really nice.
And the initial reason I went: to see my dad receive his awards. It was really touching. I’ll admit, I almost cried when the presenters were talking about him and what he had done to be honored. My dad is one of the biggest names in the HRD field. People think of him almost as if he is a God in the field. (Which, as a daughter, seems hard for me to imagine, but…) It was so awesome to hear all these great things he has done for others, for the field, for his family, and for himself. I was so, so proud to be his daughter. I was able to record the presentation, so I can share it with the rest of the family that couldn’t be there.
So, I am around. I will try to get back into blogging. I need to. There’s so much to say, so much I don’t want to forget.
