I remember in college when I started working and was bestowed the title of "Sports Information Assistant". I was still a student so having an actual job title made me feel a little self-important, I guess. More proud really. I was on the softball team, but injured my arm beyond repair. The coach said she'd make my scholarship "academic" if I started working in the sports information office of the athletic department and cover all the softball games. I traveled with the team, kept score, did stats. Mainly she wanted more press for the program, so I wrote stories and sent the stories to the media outlets, etc... . Little did I know she was doing me a huge favor encouraging me to write.
While working there, one of my assignments in my senior PR class was to do a complete media kit. As luck would have it, our campus was hosting the Texas Special Olympics and I completed a media kit based on this event. The TSO committee even decided to use it as their "official" media kit for the games. Again...I remember that proud feeling. A sense of accomplishment. A job done well.
After I graduated, I fell into a job at the conference office (An office of the NCAA, basically, that was over 10 universities athletic departments) as an Administrative Assistant. All I wanted to do was work in Media Relations. Due to many reasons, some having to do with Title IX, others to do with staff...I never got to do it for more than about a year. Another blessing. It caused me to leave for another opportunity.
I was offered a job to work in a small ad agency (more referred to as an "art house" as we were the ones the agencies called to do graphic design on a contract basis) and I learned so much about graphic design just by being sat down and told, "Okay...do this. In this software program. Even if it takes all day." And I did. I was an Account Executive and didn't make a lot of money, but the experience was invaluable. This was the first time one of my designs was featured in a national magazine. I ended up being published here several times and of course, pride exhumed.
From there, I moved on to a national home builder. I started as the Marketing Assistant. Of course, not liking the term "assistant" I worked hard until I was "Marketing Director". It took many years, but I did it. I made really good money, too. It was one of the toughest jobs, mainly because of the hours, driving all over the metroplex (I don't like driving!), a learning curve regarding the industry and multi-million dollar budgets, but mostly because of the climate at the office. People were petty. Jealous. It was a very insecure place to work. You never knew who was next to be put on the chopping block. It caused me a lot of stress and looking back, I had a guardian angel watching over me who was in the position to know the future of the company and advised me to "run as fast as you can". I did.
I started working from home about two weeks after I left and have ever since. I have since assumed a more important position in life. I don't have a title and I don't want one. Well...I take that back. I actually do have a title of sorts. The pride I feel from this job is indescribable unless, of course, you have my same job and view it the same way.
I've learned over all these years, throughout all the positions I've held, the most influential title or job I will ever hold is that of "Mom". Last night as I stood in the hallway listening to my two kiddos talk to each other, I got very weapy (shocker) from being so proud of them. A much more fulfilling "proud" than any result from a "job" I'd ever felt in the past. A totally different kind of proud. Shelby was losing her first tooth and Ben was dying to help her pull it. She was nervous. He wanted to help. He had squatted down in front of her in the bathroom where she was sitting on the automan, had his hands on her shoulders and kept reassuring her. "You trust me don't you, Shelby? I'm your big brother. I'd never hurt you on purpose. I will always help you. Let me help you.". Such comforting words. He is such a caring soul. She needs that. It's in his nature to do it.
Out of anything I do in life, this job will always be the most important and rewarding. It's not a position of monetary value, but the benefits are like no other. I've learned, as with any 'job', you get what you give. This job directly influences two little lives desperately and curiously searching their way through this world. Every move I make is a clue to them regarding how to behave in their own lives. What's right? What's wrong? What's appropriate? Who do I trust? Everything else pales in comparison. I hope they know they are priority number one. It's in my job responsibilities to make sure they do. It's also part of my job to help them become the type of people who will do the same for their kids.
I can't be around them and not smile. Taking little pictures with my mind of things they are doing I never want to forget. Sure they do things that get on my last good nerve (what kid doesn't?!) but I can't imagine a day without them and thankfully, I think they feel the same way. I still get a huge hug after school. They will still hold my hand. Ben will even put his arm around me *at* school, by the way because I've been told I'm a "Cool Mom". Shelby asked me the other day, "Mom, will you always be with me?". Assuming she was referring to my mom dying when I was young, I said, "Of course! Why would you ask that?!". She said, "Because I really like being with you.". Yes. I cried. And smiled. She laughed at me.
See? I've got the best title in the world. One I never could have imagined would mean so much. I hold it near and dear to my heart.
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