I used to look at those bumper stickers of "Carpe Diem" and think they were kind of cliched, but Mum liked that sticker - and she lived it. Honestly, we don't have enough time to go through all the things my Mum happened to pack into her 59 years, but suffice to say - she Carpe Diem'd the hell out of life.
What am I doing to "Seize the Day"? I'm competing in 4 events this year - 2 triathlons and 2 1/2 Marathons. I'm also training for my first Ironman, Ironman California, next April. If you're there, and you see some blonde girl looking angry on a pink and white bike, just holler at me to "get a move on" would you? That's what Mum would do.
I firmly believe that my Mum is with me with every step, pedal and stroke I make. I find this evident through the blessing that is my work place. As is fairly evident by the fact that you found this blog through our website - I work for fabulous Lexus San Diego. What makes us so fabulous? The fact that we are not just a team - but a family. The moment I learned that Mum was terminal, David (GM), Dan (SD) and Julie (SM) stopped at nothing to get me to my family. It didn't matter what I needed - I had it, even without asking. I'm not one to lose my head during crazy circumstances, but I have to be honest - this was a time where I really wasn't all together, but they were there for me, helping me keep one foot moving in front of the other. Why am I writing about this? Because it's imperative that you see that I couldn't do all the things I need to do to honor Mum, without their support. I've worked for a lot of people in my life, and I can safely say that I will never get the opportunity to work for and with such amazing people as I do at Lexus San Diego. Their compassion is not limited to me, or the rest of our Lexus family. How we treat each other, is how we treat our guests. If you are ever in the market for a new car, or you need service for your Lexus - we are the place you want to be.
OK, I won't try and sell you our Dealership here, it's not the intention of my blog. But you have to bear with me, my Lexus family is tightly intertwined in my story - so I will mention people from time to time, it's just me being honest with you.
So, here I am with 4 events scheduled and one more that is coming for 2011. With any luck, I will make it to Kona for 2011 - the perfect way for me to make Mum proud by completing one of the most physically grueling events ever created. All the while I'm trying to fundraise for Team Hope, work full time in a position that requires complete focus and dedication along with training - so trust me when I say, I look forward to my "Sunday Sleep-in". It's the one day each week that I can sleep past 4am!
So, imagine my surprise when David - the GM - offers to sponsor me for my events, so that I'm not financially over-burdened for wanting to do all this in my Mother's memory. How many employers would do that? Seriously, at a Car Dealership? All I could think of, was how every single stereotype I had ever known of a Car Dealership has now been completely eradicated. It's not a professional sponsorship where I just get "paid to train", no I still get up at 3.30am to get my workout in before work, and I still leave during my lunch-hour to swim laps at a local pool, but my entry fees for these events are covered - which I'm sure you'll agree, helps keep me focused on my goals and dreams, and not performing acrobatics with my check book just to get my entry registered on time!
So, that's my goal - my dream. To work my tail off so that I can be good enough to get to Kona. That will be the ultimate for me - to be able to cross the finish line at the Ironman Championships in Hawaii, within the time limit, to honor Mum's zest for life and her determination to never be dissuaded from doing anything.
I hope that you'll come along for the ride, or say "Hi" the next time you stop by the Dealership!
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