The Dash by Linda Ellis & Mac Anderson

I find my new role in life to one of humor. I have grown up being the smart-ass, the care free thinker, and known to live the stress free lifestyle. My sister stands by the phrase "don't worry about my little sister, she will always land on her feet" or "while I don't want to watch her work everything out, she will always find a way...everything always works out for her." I have always loved hearing those words come out of my sister's mouth. All growing up she has stressed about things that I have never given much thought. A perfect example was attending the Florida vs. Miami football game in 2004. She didn't think we could get tickets, if we did we wouldn't be able to afford them, and if we could afford them they would be bad seats...I told her not to worry, I'd find us tickets, and that is what I did :) We payed face value for seats in the fourth row on the 50 yard line...when I am in the picture she has stopped worrying about the details, she knows that it will work out. I love the fact that she has such trust in her little sister. Clearly she is the intelligent successful daughter, I am the care-free hippie child so to speak.

I still live that carefree lifestyle or at least I try to continue to live like that. Since moving to Colorado, I have taken on a new role. A caring compassionate helpful role...or at least I have been told that is the role that I have taken on. A few months ago, one of my friend's boyfriend beat her up at our sister bar. I was the phone call at 3 am in the morning to help her. I am totally fine being the stable one. After all, I don't live the lifestyle that most of the people that work in the industry do. I haven't ever been arrested, I invest money regularly, I read the wall-street journal, I work for the idea that my job is actually fun and I don't have to use my brain so that is an added bonus, I don't live beyond my means, and I don't live pay check to pay check...I have a college degree, one I don't use but I have it. I go to work and I am the one that people come and tell me whats going on in their life. My mother always said people just talk to her, well apparently I have taken on that role. People just talk to me, reach out to me and seek my help or support. Today was no different.

One of the baker's crew, supposedly tripped down the stairs, hitting her head and got a concussion. She was unable to come to work. One of the managers sent me a text message that read "not sure why I would tell you other than the fact that you help people out. but (person x) called today because she fell and hit her head, which is code for punched by her boyfriend...might want to call and see if she needs anything." I immediately responded to him saying, I had actually already gotten that phone call and was on top of it. He called and laughed saying he wasn't surprised at all. He was happy that someone so "stable" was on staff that is there to lend a helping hand. He continued to make fun of me that I have a bleeding heart and that someday it will come back to bite me. I listened to him, and then realized why he is so lonely. He has no family, minimal friends, and no desire to ever reach out and help someone. I asked him if he ever read the book "the dash" by Linda Ellis & Mac Anderson. He hadn't ever heard of it, and I recommended that he read it. I told him I will bring him my copy to read. He didn't really like where the conversation was going and ended up saying that he had to go because another call was coming in.

I was completely fine with how the conversation ended. At the end of the day, I am glad that I am that person that people come to when they feel that they have no where else to turn. I am glad I have the role of the care-taker, compassionate with people who are upset or whose life seems in total turmoil. Yes, it sucks that I continue to get the people that need to be picked up by their boot straps, but its also an extremely high compliment. One that I look at as an honor that everyone thinks I can make it all better...as if I am the mom with the magic band-aids that cure everything. I love my new role! It will help my widen "my dash!" If you get a chance please pick up a copy of "the dash" it has changed my look at life.