Five Truths Challenge

Some friends I’m lucky to work with have challenged each other to write about their Five Truths.  I’m not a blogger, yet. (Well, ok, this will be my first post.) Hard to admit when I work where I work, with whom I work.  No one actually tagged me for this Challenge.  But, after reading the Five Truths of my best bosses ever, Raj Choudhury and Jeff Hilimire, as well as those of Kaitlyn Dennihy and Drew Hawkins, well, I couldn’t help myself.  So, here goes…

Truth #1:  I Am First, Foremost and Forever Southern and (most of the time) Proud of All That That Implies

I am a girl raised in the South.  I mean, the deep south…born in Savannah, GA in the glorious “Summer of ’69.”  As a result, no New Years Day will ever be complete without hoppin’ johns, collard greens and a pork roast.  Sweet tea is the “house wine“ and was consumed by the gallon (literally at least one per day) in the peaceful home of four I grew up in.  There is no other cola besides a Coke.  Bacon (cheese, mayonnaise & sour cream) makes any dish better.  Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese work wonders when I’m homesick (or for that matter, anytime comfort food is called for).  And, yes, I presume I will always be a yo-yo dieter because (truthfully, they don’t make Lilly P shifts larger than a size 12 and) I’m a southern soul food addict and the stuff certainly does a number on the old waistline.  I long for a strong warm breeze in my face, sand stuck to everything, the smell of Coppertone, marsh mud and a low-country boil.  Throw in a deep suntan and an acoustic guitar and if you were trying to genetically engineer me in a lab, you’d have all your ingredients right there.  Football is the only thing that makes a fading summer at all bearable for me.  The SEC reigns in our home and yes, the UGA/Tennessee game was playing on a big screen (intentionally) at my wedding reception.  Just before we cut the cake, the Dawgs returned a punt for an amazing “he’s-going-to-go-all-the-way” full field touchdown.  It brought the house down.  I’ll never forget it or the date on which my anniversary falls, because all I have to do is check Georgia’s schedule for the GA/TN game weekend.  I met my sweet husband at the Chop Shop (Turner Field – my Daddy introduced us, true story), so it goes without saying a Tomahawk is in my hand and the call of the Whoa-oh-oh raises the hair on my arms every time.  We’ve celebrated the day we met (in June) every year since by tailgating at a Braves game.  Usually with a large crowd, occasionally just the two of us.  It was “a moment” the first time my husband kissed our daughter on the same spot he kissed me for the very first time on the 327-yard marker inside the stadium.  Yes, I believe in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. I love tradition and rituals and the mystery of things that make you go hmmmmm…like bagpipes, the zodiac (I’m a Leo), and fortune-telling.  I’m southern… from Savannah, remember.

Truth #2:  You’ll Meet Your Lifelong Friends In College

My momma always told me this and I remember not agreeing with her when I was in high school.  But, as usual, momma was right.  I don’t regularly keep in touch with my high school friends now.  But, I was so fortunate to meet a group of 10 girls in college that I (and my whole family) now consider my sisters.  My kids call them their aunts.  We’ve all known each other 24 years now, have been there thru all the weddings (bachelorette parties!), births, divorces, loss of loved ones, you name it.  It’s an incredible feeling to have remained so connected for so many years.  I say they are my memory.  When I can’t remember who I was before being a wife and mother, just spending 10 minutes on a group text or 7 days on a beach in Santa Rosa with my girls who “knew me when” connects me with my past in a way no one and nothing else can.  These friendships ground me.  It makes me feel sad for people who don’t have a constant, committed, dependable friendship that has survived for so many years.  I think its pretty remarkable this many girls have stayed so close for so long.  In addition to my wonderful husband and two precious daughters, I consider these friendships one of my greatest accomplishments and treasures of my life.

Truth #3:  I Love a Tailgate

I can’t be “real friends” with anyone who’s not ready at a moments notice to pop open a tailgate (or trunk, whatever ya have), turn up the radio, and swap stories while enjoying a cold drink.  I’ve tailgated in some strange places, yes, even at a funeral home, believe it or not.  Don’t knock it til you’ve tried it.

Truth #4:  You Can’t Do It Wrong If You Tried

This phrase gives me so much comfort.  A fairly random person came into my life for a very brief minute at a strange time in my late twenties.  She had written a book, was sure Oprah was going to call her to be on The Show, and she did these “healing/ meditative” sessions.  I got talked into going to one of these.  Yes, it was as strange (and harmless) as it sounds, but one good thing came out of it.  The woman told me, “You can’t do it wrong if you tried.”  I don’t know if she intended for the message I actually received.  But, it has stuck with me ever since.  I interpret it to mean, it’s my life, I always try so hard to do the right thing and have the best intentions.  When I’m stressed or struggling, this phrase usually comes back to me…I can’t do it (my life, my story, my adventure, my choices) wrong if I tried.  It reminds me to have a little faith. Everything unfolds exactly as it is meant to. For someone who’s a little “control-freakish” in my brain about life sometimes, this helps me relax when I’m agonizing over big (and little) decisions.

Truth #5:  If We Don’t Learn From Our Mistakes We Are Destined to Repeat Them Until We Do.  

Making the same choices over and over and expecting a different result…it's the definition of insanity for a reason.  Tattoo it on your forehead. Shoulda’ got a T-shirt...'nuff said.

While it was fun to begin, now it’s hard to finish.  I couldn’t stop thinking about The Five Truths Challenge, now, I’m finding it hard to stop wanting to add just one more to the list.  Guess that’s why I'm supposed to stop at 5. 

Now, it’s your turn…