When Later Never Comes. Lessons From An Inspiring Friendship

An employee is confused for a pinata, and skydiving must make room for Cancer

Jun 24, 2024

Dear Beautiful One,

Extreme temperatures are sweeping through many parts of the world, and floods are causing chaos and damage to others. Elections are looming in some countries, or in the case of here in Mexico - they are complete, but not without an unsettling and unfamiliar level of public violence (being Canadian it’s a new experience).

The Importance of Seizing the Moment

It’s a wild time, isn’t it? There’s nothing quite so impactful as wildfires, floods, and shootings to make us pay attention to the “now”. And all of this brings me to what I wanted to talk about today.

I have been re-reading Women Who Run with Wolves and a quote struck me.

It immediately brought to mind my friend Pam, and I knew I needed to share her story with you.

A Birthday Party That Changed Everything

Pam was my mentor and dear friend. One I admired, respected and loved, who worked very hard - and had worked very hard for a long time.

In March of 2008, there was a 60th birthday party during our usual staff meeting at work. There was cake and a pinata. The birthday girl was blindfolded & accidentally smacked the pinata holder (an employee) multiple times during the revelry. It cracked me up.

Honestly, this memory can still make me laugh out loud. Imagine a pinata held by a long-time and much loved employee - arm outstretched - while Pam swung a broom (it was an office party after all) blindfolded. This was not a well-thought out plan, but it had her (and the entire building) doubled over in laughter. No one was hurt in the pinata experience, I promise!

It was at this birthday party, where her staff was gathered, that she gave us a "warning". This was HER year. She'd done the work, raised her boys, put in endless hours to create a company that gave positively and incredibly to the 6 communities it worked in, and a home for nearly 100 of us.

This was the year she was going to golf again, skydive, travel, take time off, & drink tequila (I may have added the tequila part). It was her turn. We supported this plan 1000%!

The "Year You Deserve" Starts Today

You can’t count on later beautiful one. None of us can.

So let’s start living that “Year that YOU Deserve’ - NOW.

I know that many of us are consumed with worry, stress and even daily survival as we live with “challenging world and life experiences”. I understand. I do.

And I will still say … take a moment beautiful one. Take a moment to dream about, think about, FEEL what the “Year That You Deserve” could be.

Dream Big, Start Small

Heck! Start with the day you deserve, or the HOUR you deserve if we need to. I’m good with wherever you want to start. Just start. A dream life starts with a dream.

Let’s learn from Pam. She would want us to. She’s laughing at me right this second (I feel her energy near me often), challenging me to walk my talk … and you can be darned sure I am! I am crafting up my best year yet - a chapter of my best life.

It is truth that I am much more connected to the day of my beautiful friends' exit from this earth ~ than I am to the day of her entrance. And while I mourn her place in my life ~ and grieve for the loss of her sparkling eyes and infectious laugh ~ I was deeply blessed by her.

Blessed to cross her path and have her decide to 'mother' me. Blessed to have her pass her wisdom to me. Blessed to have shared my voice in so many different ways (including the opinions and positions I wasn’t afraid to share, that she loved and earned me the ‘mouthy’ moniker).

Most significantly, as the lullaby and soundtrack to her last hours, moments, seconds as she walked to the next phase of her journey. Life-changing.

I still miss you Pam Latimer. May your life, your passion and your passing be a guiding light.

Passion takes action, and time isn’t promised to us. Let’s start living that “Year that YOU Deserve’ beautiful one.

The Power of Positive Energy and Attraction

Oh, and one other small detail. When you start to FEEL the feelings that your best year gives you - you send out a vibration that the Universe picks up and lobs back with even MORE reasons to feel that same way.

Yep, that old ‘Law of Attraction’ thing.

Remembering How to Dream: A PLAYsheet

A first step to creating a dream for your life. Soak into what you really desire, and remove all doubts, limiting beliefs, or obstacles that will try to intrude.