Untouchable

"Don't you love New York in the fall? It makes me wanna buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address." (Bonus points if you can guess what movie that's from!) Confession. Every time Fall rolls around, I have to stop by Staples. There's something about buying notebooks, color-coordinating folders, pens, pencils, staplers, planners...that has me excited that it's Fall, and school time. I walked through central park on Sunday, with my parents. We sailed sailboats in the pond and wandered through the mall. I'm drawn to the Bethesda fountain and the mall in ways I don't know how to describe. It's another magical place for me. I do, I love New York in the fall. If you haven't been in the Fall, come see it. Better yet, I'll show you.

Sailor at heart

 

Why is it that time always flies with the ones you love? I was so sad to see my parents leave for the Bahamas, and yet, I understand that after raising four wonderful and uniquely successful children, it's their time to have fun with each other. An important observation rang true this week, that although you can be happy with a lot of people, life is a lot more fun if you end up with someone that enjoys doing similar things with you and likes adventures. I'll take any adventure that involves the beach and/or sports.

We ran the gauntlet of subjects this weekend; my mom has been reading Katie Couric's The Best Advice I Ever Got, and we talked about our favorite responses. One of our favorites is by Ina Garten, better known as the Barefoot Contessa. Ina got burned out at her job, hard worker that she is, and wanted to make some changes. I loved that her husband was confident enough in her, to push her to quit her job. He continued to express his confidence in her, repeating his mantra of support as she took a year off, then eventually opened a cooking store and began her own cooking show. What is neat about her story is that she did something she had no experience in, but she succeeded because she's smart, and she works hard. For someone like me, this calms the stress. I don't need to worry so much about one job or one thing defining who I am (an area I struggle with), because I have the brains and the commitment to work hard at something to make it a success...and, like Ina, there are people that have an immense amount of faith in me. Being with my parents was like being drenched with buckets of faith and support; they repeated that same mantra over and over this weekend - don't worry, that no matter what I choose to do with my life, I will make it a success because I am smart, and I work hard. You is kind, you is smart, and you is important.

 

On our way back from surfing, we discussed Thomas Friedman's response, about being an Untouchable. "Do what you really love to do, and if you don't know quite what that is yet, well, keep searching, because once you find it you'll bring that something extra to your work that will help you ensure that you will not be automated or outsourced. It will make you untouchable." We talked about what makes each of us an "untouchable", and how we've used it to benefit others.

On Sunday, we sat on a bench overlooking Sheep's Meadow, and talked for a long time. We talked about what commitment means, how love is very much a choice, and how it can be both fun and hard to be committed to being your spouse's best friend. But that it's worth it, because you become a much better person. I laughed as they told me dating isn't really like marriage. We talked about friendships you make, those you keep, and those you are grateful for. And as it started to get dark, we talked about how crazy wonderful it is to be living in New York, and making my wildest dreams come true.

Life is sometimes crazy, hard to plan, and sometimes it doesn't make sense. But when my parents come to town, the puzzle pieces fit together, the picture starts to form, and the sun starts shining as I realize that life is wonderful and God always wants me to be happy. Always!

Don't you love New York in the Fall?!