The Atlanta SIF RT today was AWESOME. IKEA treated us like KINGS and QUEENS . . . no doubt they were experts on how to host an event. And several times they asked us to please consider their services for all our future events --- Kathy Nielsen and I will blog more on that later. It's a personal story I want to share now, hope you will read on . . .
Karen's personal story -- during our morning round table today there was a very extraordinary lady there (okay, well, actually there were 18 extraordinary ladies there) but this one was special to me. Her name is Linda Thomas. She owns Linda Thomas Designs.
Okay, I know you are all wondering -- what's so special ? . . . is she a phenomenal stager? Probably. Based on what I remember, she is probably spectacular. Okay now I have you really confused . . .
Back in the mid '80's Linda and I had son's that met in Kindergarten and became good friends. Aaron and Travis. And as you know at that time in your adult life your children's friends parents become your friends -- you want to know where and who they are with. Well, also, Linda and I were fortunate enough to both have incredible awesome little girls the same age, Emily and Brette, and guess what -- they also met and were like magnets together. We did everything from ballet, soccer, little league and grilling burger, talent shows, fund raisers, home room stuff, even meeting up for aerobics on occasion.
Linda was always one of those classy friends; good for a thought provoking and evaluating conversation of "What's really important" trickled with spirit raising humor. There was never a conversation with Linda where there wasn't a smile. (and a good thought to take home)
The sad part is, when we (I) moved from Dunwoody, GA to Peachtree City, GA, Linda and I lost touch. And it's a shame; so did our kids, that's also sad. But life's are busy. After all, it's hard enough to keep up with the Jones next door any more, let alone someone 50 miles away. So, you move on to settle into your new environment and new surrounding, at the never intentional cost of replacing precious acquaintances with (hate to say) new found acquaintances that fit your new life and surroundings.
So one of my biggest pleasures of being at the SIF RT today in Atlanta -- and trust me, there were many, was to see my old, good friend Linda Thomas. After 14 years away, and I had no idea she was now a home stager, what a delight it was for me to see her walk into our morning session!
Do note: I had figured it out in advance from working on the invite list that she was now a stager (just like me!) So, I actually was anticipating this extra bonus in my day! My friend Linda, however, had no idea I would be there or was facilitating the event. Because I have remarried, she did not recognize my last name, of course!
I just had to share a different perspective on the value of the Stage It Forward Round Tables. Now that's being connected (or reconnected!) in the industry! Thank God she still had the same last name, so I could recognize her, or we would have just been staring at each other all morning thinking, "Gee, you look SO familiar" How funny if half way thru we figured it out and both started giggling like crazy in the middle of the meeting!
Note to self: 14 years later at this age, trust me, there are changes! But, Linda looked great . . . guess I changed for both of us! Need to work on that tomorrow!
GOOD TO SEE YOU, LINDA!
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