A Look Over My Shoulder Back In Time

          I read in the paper today that Jack Byrne died. Jack hired me in 1981 to join a team to start up a life insurance company in DC for GEICO. GEICO had purchased Garden State Life Insurance Company and I with 5 other people flew to New Jersey (on GEICO's private jet), packed up files, and brought them back to DC. In one year we set up direct marketing of life insurance under two company names- GEICO Life and Annuity Company and Garden State Life Insurance. I was charged with hiring the service and marketing staffs and establishing the marketing/service departments for both companies along with working with the systems department to test and implement the system to administer the business. 

           Six months later, Jay joined the team and he worked on product development, established the underwriting criteria, hired the underwriters and set up the policy issue department. It was quite an adventure and learning experience! And my first (only) exposure to the BIG corporate world! I had other jobs with other life insurance companies but nothing compared to working for Jack Byrne and crew. 

           Shortly after I arrived, the start up team was introduced to the Board of Directors at the annual meeting. That was pretty cool except Jack said I was from Vermont instead of New Hampshire. Warren Buffett called Jack Byrne the 'Babe Ruth of Insurance.' 

            In the early 1990's,  GEICO sold the entire life company (ies) to a firm in Texas and once again everything was packed up and taken to a new spot. This move was to Galveston, TX. By that time, I had moved on and was working for another Life Insurance Company, State Mutual, in Worcester, MA. Jay didn't want to move to Texas and leave me so far away so he found a job in Philly and the rest is history...

             RIP Jack Byrne.

Simplicity

Simplicity  That Just   

Might Bring a Sense of Well-being

Monday afternoon was cold and bleak.  I decided to take a long brisk walk; I’d miss my daily walks for maybe the 10^th time in a row, so I was determined to make this walk count.  Swaddled in my windproof gear,  I felt tired and heavy and cold and even the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other demanded an effort, but I walked on.

Though I’d left without a destination in mind, I turned toward town.  There is only one way to get to downtown Manteo and that street was busier than usual.   I pulled my hat way down on my head obscuring some of my vision but I could still hear my ragged breathing and the howling wind.    

I was in a rut.  Maybe it was the winter weather, or the hours of being inside, or the medical issues I am struggling with, or the way my grey corduroys felt so damn tight around my waist when I put them on this morning. 

It was Monday afternoon.  That morning I had read another very sad report in the NYT about the children killed in that horrific shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.  Thirty years ago I lived in Connecticut.  I felt a grief that was at once distant and personal and exhausting.

Almost in town,  I was wearing out.  The walk isn’t difficult – the path is straight and flat but I hadn’t REALLY exercised since I started the chronic coughing and  breathing difficulties and the town is 2.5 miles away so even if I didn’t have breathing problems and wasn’t tired, and in a bit of a funk, at the pace I was moving, my breathing would still be ragged.  It turns out, however, that this exercise felt bad and good all at once.  I felt like a haze was lifting and there was something like a smile inside. 

When we lived in Erie, I belonged to a health club and did spin 3,4, sometimes 5 times a week.  I worked out with a trainer 3 times a week.  Exercising helped me claw out of every rut I have experienced in the past 30 years.  The rhythm of peddling on the bike helped me think straight.  The camaraderie of the group anchored me.  I found balance and community and peace and purpose and self-confidence on the spin bike.  I was able to stay in the saddle for as much of the class as I wanted but there were times when the music was so loud and the instructor would shout to crank it up that I would have to stand and push through the cycle.  The gym was no place to worry about appearances.  Sweat rolled down my body and puddled on the floor. 

That Monday afternoon walk was turning out to be relaxing.  I decided to walk beyond downtown and followed the path out of town for about another half mile.  When I did turn around I noticed I had the wind at my back.  It was around 4 pm and there was clarity to the light that you only see on cold winter days.  (It was common in New England but not here.)  Nothing was different but I felt a change.  I was ready for my brisk walk home; I pushed my hat back on my head so I could see and I knew I would enjoy the scenery.

Merry Christmas to ALL 2012

December 2012

Merry Christmas to ALL!

Our leap of faith started the day we signed the contract to build our new house in Manteo, North Carolina.  This December is our 1^st anniversary living in that house.  The next leap of faith will be December 2013 when Jay officially retires from Erie Insurance; a long awaited day! 

This past year I have been teaching basic skills to adults working on their GED’s at the local college.  In January I will kick off a new offering at the college called ‘What It Takes.’  I will be working with unemployed adults to help them develop the soft skills (such as work ethic, attendance, teamwork, etc.)  one needs to be successful.   Believe it or not, many employers find new employees don’t always understand the importance of these needed traits. 

This past year I got out the paints and brushes and worked to develop a new painting style  – abstract expressionism (new for me).  I’ve connected with the local Art Council and I hope to be able to exhibit some work in their gallery next year.  Also I continue to put pen to paper and write.

Jay and I celebrated our 25^th wedding anniversary this year (my head is still spinning!).  I find that sometimes we finish each other’s sentences and carry on a continuous conversation without missing a beat.  In our early years together, we would get frustrated because we didn’t always understand each other.  After 25 years, we get frustrated because we do!! 

I have great wealth that has nothing to do with dollars:  a wonderful husband, precious grandchildren, and outstanding adult children with wonderful loving families.  And of course, we have Ruby and Lady to watch and love.

At the end of each day during our holiday season, Jay and I dim the lights, Jay pours a glass of wine, and we sit next to the Christmas tree and listen to soft Christmas music playing in the background.  It is a time to reflect on the past year and the events that took place: a summer family get-together at our house – lots of beach time and plenty of sand; visits from Jay’s mom, visits from old friends and new friends; time spent planting and tending our gardens (which were magnificent); ballgames with Todd & Leesa, Chip and Jay spending good father/son time together; special grandparent day visits to Lizzie’s classroom; dance recitals, award ceremonies at Cape Henry High School; celebration of Annalise’s dream come true of attending college in Boston next fall; cold early Saturday morning soccer games at Cape Henry; Jay working out in HIS workout room;  a new motorcycle with Jay’s name on it sitting in the garage; Lisa’s published book for Nurses; Harriet’s published novel that is #3 on the NYT best seller list; Barack Obama winning a 2^nd term (can’t forget that!).

 Life goes on, time marches by.  Jay and I look forward to the New Year that will be full of things that have never been.

We wish you good health, contentment, and enjoyment of family and friends in the New Year.  

Paula & Jay

August Work

Seascape

Shelf in the William Sonoma store

Secrets

Ebb & Tide

 Found In the Junk Drawer

Young Girl's Dream

Two Birds In the Bush & One In the Hand

Isn't the imagery found in this Bible verse beautiful?

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.  

The Lighthouse

When the light went out,

if it had but looked down,

past the rocks and waves, heavy now and grey, it

would have seen the dreamer.

Then, from the other side in darkness, it

would have heard the lament, 

turning about, gliding silently,

stretching to search the beach,

while not disturbing even one sand castle.

Caught in the strobe, the stony shore

throws shadows while the lonely sentinel eye

opens and closes.

Turned about, held in the moment,

it looms above the sea

against the darken sky.

If ever it comes to some end,

at a devil’s or angel’s hand,

let it be remembered  - alone,

a seeker of the now

by stops and starts of light and dark

intertwining those below.

Secrets Shared

Warm breezes whisper

Secrets young girls share,

Innocent and naïve.

Beside the lake, beneath the trees

Pussy willow flutter and dance with glee.

.

Many times, when I lie alone

In a pensive or vacant mood,

I recall the dance of the pussy willow,

Swaying in the wind,

A ripple pushed across the lake.

And more - traces of young girls’ muses higher than the trees.

To join together in the sky - never-ending lore.

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