Reflecting on gratitude for connections, brain tumors, and Blue Bike

Excerpt from an email sent Dec. 11, 2019.

Holy Bananas! What a year!

I’m wrapping up 2019 reminiscing on gratitude, sitting in my dad’s hospital room at Georgetown University Medical Center as he makes a full recovery from a brain tumor that presented symptoms while he was visiting D.C. from Oregon the week before Thanksgiving. 

Gratefulness is a feeling and an intent. We can find it (sometimes in hindsight) in places we never expected. 

This year, I’m grateful for brain tumors. I could be angry at brain tumors, but they can’t be taken personally. Besides, being angry drains me of the optimism, energy, and love that has sustained me in 2019 through a big home move, a permanent separation from my spouse, and an exciting (and intimidating) journey to re-brand and grow Blue Bike with the help of a professional coach. 

But let’s go back to brain tumors. I’m grateful for the reminder that this minute is important. This hour is important. This person in this room with an offering of love or attention or time or ideas is important. Of course, I’m also grateful for modern medicine and ancient medicine and optimism and my dad’s strong spirit that led him through this and all of the positive energy that flooded my family as our friends from far and wide propelled us to this outcome.

Yes, I could have been angry (and I dipped my toe in that), but anger is just fear. Dad was (and is) not afraid of dying, and the time we’ve had together these past three weeks reminded me that I will not be afraid of living. 
I’m going into 2020 continuing to pursue my dream of building a hands-on, empathy-driven consulting firm centered on collaboration. By connecting with and working alongside clients, colleagues, and other consultants, we always seem to achieve greater results together, much greater than if we would have gone at it alone.

If you hire Blue Bike to support your marketing efforts, I will always show up committed to humility, hard work, and honesty. When you do decide to work with us, please know that I have been taught by, mentored by, and given chances from some of the most talented, smart, ambitious, and successful people I know (and I’m excited to loop them in on your awesome marketing project).

If you’ve already worked with me, you know I’m proud to be your marketing Mary Poppins - jumping in with both boots to tidy up, make it fun, and ensure you feel supported at every turn. My mission is to simplify, reorganize, and help manage your marketing work, so your small business or nonprofit can proudly share its awesomeness.

This season, I’m grateful that we’ve connected. 

As I look to 2020, I am focused on finding more connections like ours. I am also seeking to be connected with women entrepreneurs who want to join forces, work together, and shed the idea that we always must go at it alone. If you know of anyone seeking help with their business or nonprofit who is open to innovative ways to partner and change the world, please introduce us! 

I’m so grateful that I’ve found something I love doing. Every day I am re-energized by what’s on my to-do list. I want to help you rewrite your to-do list, see the path forward, and outline ways we can walk together to a fulfilling future, one step at a time. 

My dream is, after working with me, you’ll feel the same way about your job as I do about mine. So, if you or someone you know might be interested in connecting with me, please let me know. I can’t wait to ring in the New Year. 

Warmly, 

-holly