(Unexpected) New Beginnings

I'm continuously amazed at the opportunities that are placed in our lives, and what can come from those opportunities when we open our hearts to them.  It's not easy to choose the unknown and unfamiliar- especially for me.  That said, after considerable discernment,  I've recently chosen to resign from my job at Dot Foods to pursue a new opportunity that God has placed in my life. I've chosen to leave the company where I have worked for the past five a half years, the company that brought me back closer to my family after a year in Ohio, the company where I met my husband & love of my life.  I'm leaving a company where I've been blessed to work with highly talented men & women, with co-workers who have truly become some of my dearest friends, a company that continues to find new ways to grow & succeed thanks to careful, strategic planning & strong leadership.

I'm leaving all of this for an unexpected opportunity that I know is part of a bigger plan for my life.  The first week in April, I'll be starting a new job as the Special Events Coordinator for the Alzheimer's Association.   The story of how this came to be, in my humble opinion, is one worth sharing.   

Last summer, I read the book "Still Alice" by Lisa Genova.  The book tells the story of a young college professor who is diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease.  I absolutely loved the book, mostly because of the perspective it offered me.  Prior to reading the book, the only perspective I had of Alzheimer's Disease was what it was like to be the granddaughter who watched both of her grandmas live with the disease in very different ways.  I watched not only as these two incredible women changed before my very eyes, but also watched others who loved them- my siblings, parents, grandpa, cousins, aunts & uncles and their lifelong friends- experience the indescribable, helpless, painful feeling of watching Alzheimer's Disease claim the life of someone they cared for & loved deeply.  "Still Alice" shared with me the perspective that someone has when they personally receive the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, and as difficult as it was to read, I was so grateful for the insight it gave me.

Reading the book motivated me to reach out to the Alzheimer's Association & inquire about volunteer possibilities.  Last fall, I set up two separate meetings with their Volunteer Coordinator, and both times, I had conflicts come up & had to cancel.  With our wedding, followed quickly by the holidays- I didn't get a chance to reschedule my meeting until early January, when I finally met with their Volunteer Coordinator & Director of Development to discuss volunteer opportunities.  About 30 minutes into our meeting, they informed me there was a full time position available as the association's Special Events Coordinator, and asked me if I'd be interested.  To be honest, I was taken totally off guard.  I wasn't looking for a job, but didn't find any harm in learning more about the position.  The more I learned about it, the more I felt it was an incredible opportunity- one filled with purpose... that I was qualified for, and interested in.  I would be planning & promoting local fundraisers & events, involved in public outreach, helping develop their Young Ambassadors & Reason to Hope programs, and generating corporate donations through presentations & meetings. 

In my final interview, a group interview with seven of their employees, I was asked to talk about my personal experience with Alzheimer's.  I was composed as I talked about my Grandma Mayfield & her experience with the disease.  As I started to talk about my Grandma Koch, and her experience with Alzheimer's, I suddenly became totally overwhelmed with emotion and began crying, to the point I had to fight hard to regain my composure.  I apologized and finished what I was saying quickly.  The next night, as I described to my mom how I'd become emotional talking about my Grandma Koch, she quietly reminded me that the two year anniversary of Grandma Koch's death had been the morning of my group interview.  She then asked me what time my interview was, and when I told her 10:45am, she responded that Grandma had died at 10:55am.  Hearing this honestly took my breath away, and it suddenly was very clear not only why I had been so emotional, but also that the position with the Alzheimer's Association was part of a plan for my life, and I was going to accept it.  

And so, on February 10, after three rounds of interviews, many serious conversations with Doug & our families, much soul searching & prayer, I accepted the job offer with the Alzheimer's Association.  Resigning from my job at Dot was one of the hardest things I've ever done, but I continuously remind myself of the advice given to me by my dear friend, Philip Krupps. He told me during a recent email exchange that "Money is spent, time can be wasted, but a heart fulfilled stays with us forever, and inspires those around us.  Follow your heart- it has never failed you, and you have never failed it.  Life is a constant opportunity, and if God brought something to your heart He will do everything in Unyielding power to bless you with it." 

It is truly an honor to become a part of the mission of the Alzheimer's Association; one that is making & will continue to make a difference in the lives of so many people.  It's also a gift to be a part of something that will honor the legacies of Grandma Mayfield & Grandma Koch, each and every day.  

Grandma Koch

Grandma Mayfield

Our favors at our wedding reception were donations to the Alzheimer's Association in honor of Doug's Grandma Porterfield & my Grandma Koch & Grandma Mayfield.

Still Alice- the book, in a sense- that started everything.  (Also, a must-read),