Category: General Jenerosity

A Good Man

PAY YOUR RESPECTS

On March 14th, an old friend of mine passed away from Multiple Myeloma (bone marrow cancer). We had some good times in the past…late night parties, tubing on the lake, sons born around the same time, work celebrations, etc. Over the recent years, we only spoke about once a year via phone and twice a year via email. While it wasn’t often, I always knew that the guy on the other end of the phone or email was still the same great guy I always knew. He was consistently a good man.

I drove to Orlando tonight to pay my respects and pray for his family. Two men I have known throughout the years gave his eulogy and they both echoed the same things everyone in the standing-room-only cathedral was thinking. Great husband, father, co-worker, friend, fighter, man of faith, son, jokester, Gator fan, Irishman, lover of life. We all felt blessed to have known him.

His two young children broke my heart as they exited the church with their mom. The older boy, 10, was stoic and strong for his little sister, 7, who was sobbing with big red swollen eyes. I am grateful that my friend gave me yet another reminder of humility, positivity and appreciation for the present. Tonight, when I got back to the Gulf Coast, I snuck into my son’s room to kiss him goodnight and hug him a little longer than normal as he slept. I told my husband how much I love him and wish he could have been there with me. Tonight I celebrated the life of my friend who left us way too young at the age of 42, but in turn he reminded me of the fragility of life and made me live a little more.

PAY YOUR RESPECTS On March 14th, an old friend of mine passed away from Multiple Myeloma (bone marrow cancer). We had so...

Jen March 20, 2013 No Comments 0 Children, Friends & Family, General Jenerosity

Laugh, Think and Cry

HAVE A SPECIAL DINNER WITH YOUR CHILD

On the way to school this morning my son asked me what we were going to do for dinner. You may think that it is odd to be asked so early in the morning, but this kid has always been focused on knowing the details of his meal plan since he could talk. When we would arrive at his daycare, he would run down to the cafeteria to ask Miss Joanne what was for lunch. If he didn’t like the plan, he would negotiate a custom lunch that she would very Jenerously make just for him.

Today was no different. “Roasted chicken, lemon asparagus, lemon parsley mafaldine pasta with vodka sauce,” I said, anticipating the critique. “Sounds great, but can you be sure not to invite anyone over tonight…I want some alone time with you.” WOW! Date night was established.

Later, after the plates were empty and music lessons were done, we sat down to continue our mother-son bonding night. Instead of watching something I wanted to watch or breaking off into separate rooms, I agreed to let him pick which show to watch with one limitation…no cartoons! Spongebob gives me a headache that won’t quit.

Last night, we DVR’ed ESPN’s 30 for 30 about the 1983 NCAA Basketball champions – NC State. I didn’t realize I was about to embark upon a 2 hour journey through the entire history of the season coached by Jim Valvano (“Jimmy V”). While I did suffer through the first hour, the second hour was inspirational as I watched a man full of life and positivity face his death, compliments of brain cancer. At his ESPY’s speech in 1993 he shared that he believes that the secret to life is finding a way everyday to laugh, think and cry. He was an amazing coach who left an incredible legacy, especially through the creation of The V Foundation for Cancer Research, which has Jenerously donated over $100 million to date.

Jim Valvano was a winner…he had passion for the game and for Life

It is amazing what our children can expose us to if we just give them individual time and put them in the driver’s seat occasionally. Tonight, Brooks gave me a great gift…wise words to live by over a simple chicken dinner. VALVANOISMS: Never give up. Have a dream, have a goal and be willing to work for it. Laugh, think and be moved to tears. Have dinner with your kids… The last one was mine, but I don’t think Jimmy V would disagree.

HAVE A SPECIAL DINNER WITH YOUR CHILD On the way to school this morning my son asked me what we were going to do for din...

Jen March 18, 2013 No Comments 0 General Jenerosity, Sports

Good or Great?

Do you want to be Good or Great? Years ago, my mentor asked me to read Good to Great by Jim Collins, which introduced the concept that most companies settle for being ‘good’ and never make it to ‘great.’ It states that the goal is to be GREAT. Duh!

Which would you rather be…good or great? I am reminded of the recent AT&T commercials stating “It’s Not Complicated” where the host interviews children about basic questions such as which is better: doing two things at once…fast or slow? One could argue that it’s not complicated when it comes to which is better…good or great? Great, of course…right? I would argue that it depends on how you define “good.” As a self-proclaimed Platonist, I believe that goodness is intrinsic virtue; hence, the end goal is to BE morally just through our character rather than simply DO good deeds. Good is the ultimate goal.

This weekend, I was reminded of this when our family went to see Oz The Great and Powerful. It is amazing what you can learn from a movie that was panned by the critics. Go see it with the kids and be prepared for some bad acting by Mila Kunis (whose name just sounds like a dirty word to me). The message, however, is excellent. While we strive for greatness, we lose sight of the fact that what matters is goodness. It’s more about WHO we are that WHAT we do. Maybe we should all focus on being great at being good.

Do you want to be Good or Great? Years ago, my mentor asked me to read Good to Great by Jim Collins, which introduced t...

Jen March 11, 2013 No Comments 0 General Jenerosity

Buying Time

FILL A METER

They are a necessary evil…the hated meter-reader. Downtown St. Petersburg is one of the easiest places in the world (no exaggeration) to get a ticket. It is as if the meter maids magically appear the SECOND a meter expires in true Star Trek fashion…beamed right to the vehicle. Today, as I walked to my acupuncture appointment, I noticed a car parked in a handicap spot that had an expired meter. Clearly it did not belong to a Millennial as it was the size of the Starship Enterprise and the front seat was full of reading glasses, Kleenex and Tums. I pictured a gentleman in his 70′s coming out of the ice cream shop (paid for by his Social Security) to find a ticket loving placed on his windshield by Meter Reader Kirk. As the meter flashed 0:00, it struck me that there are opportunities to show small gestures of Jenerosity everywhere. Brooks and I filled the meter and left a note wishing him a great day. Maybe we should have told him to ‘Live Long and Prosper.’

FILL A METER They are a necessary evil...the hated meter-reader. Downtown St. Petersburg is one of the easiest places in...

Jen February 13, 2013 No Comments 0 General Jenerosity

Dogs in the Park

GIVE AWAY EXTRA FOOD

Working at the Food Bank has taught me to focus on using EVERY MORSEL of consumable food, rather than throw anything worthy away. Yesterday, we were at a birthday party and there were a lot of hot dogs and cupcakes left over. Deanie, one of the other moms, suggested we take them around to the homeless folks in the neighborhood. We hopped into the SUV and made the rounds with her daughter, Mackenzie. It was amazing how many people rushed to the vehicle when they saw Deanie carrying a tray of food. What I found most interesting was that many of the homeless people turned down the cupcakes, stating that they weren’t healthy or that they were watching their weight. I wish I had that kind of willpower! I usually turn down the hotdogs instead.

GIVE AWAY EXTRA FOOD Working at the Food Bank has taught me to focus on using EVERY MORSEL of consumable food, rather th...

Jen February 12, 2013 No Comments 0 Food & Beverage, General Jenerosity

Bikes for Buddies

Angels in Honor of the Sandy Hook Children & Teachers

The Joy of Jenerosity

The Jenny Chop

Over the Lips and Thru the Gums…

Legacies: They’re For the Dogs

I LOVE YOU!

School + May = Field Trips

GIVING, Old-School Style

ALWAYS! – Derrick Atkinson’s Tribute to Zach Sobiech

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