business woman

I'm in Wisconsin all week for work.....I miss Elle and this is only preparing us for the 9 days we will spend away from her while in Europe. I always wanted to travel and be a "business woman". It's funny because when I was younger I admired my Aunt who was quite succesfull, traveled, and carried a briefcase. She was my mentor when it came to education or career. But I also admired my Mother who stayed home with us kids, we were her life. She got little odd jobs here and there but raising a family was her priority. Sacrifices were made though. We didn't have the biggest house, but it was a cozy home that was always filled with friends and family, we didn't have the largest most beautiful 2nd lake home, but we had a second home-a really fun cabin where so many fun memories were made, we didn't have the biggest boat, but we had a speed boat that my Dad would get great joy from as he would pull us kids on tubes and throw us around on the lake. I am thankful my parents chose us over careers which made for a wonderful and normal childhood. My brother was a normal growing wonderful boy until his teenage years and I know those years for Mom, were the best years of her life. She told me so. This is a big struggle for me. Her own Son, who as a child, gave her so much joy. It's just too sad for words.

Nowadays, you almost need 2 incomes. And in my case, I love my career and love to work........so my hope is that I can continue to create for myself a work/life balance that works for my Family. I do believe you can have both in life and I really feel that I can handle it... especially now. When you go through something very traumatic in your life (only a few of us ever will), you have this attitude that if in fact I can still get out of bed after what has happened, I can take on anything. But trust me, there are still days of great sadness, anger and lack of faith but for the most part, we are stronger and will be able to handle more then the average person. Some days I have this fear that I've been too strong, almost faking it and that one day I will truly sit down and realize what has happened and I'll crash. It's a fight everyday. I do understand the meaning of depression now. But I have this weird talent that I can fight it. But it's something I must face everyday.....

While I am away being a "business woman" I do get some "me" time which is nice. I'm staying on the Harbor and there is a great running path along Lake Michigan. I think I will head for a run right now and then enjoy a nice dinner with a glass of Wine........

Above are some pics of where I am at. See...Racine, WI isn't so bad after all....

Lots of love,

Melissa