VeronicaParker.com

Giving Old a Fresh Perspective

For the past five or six months, I've been purging a storage filled with thirty years of memories. It's strange how uncovering items from the past has felt like meeting old friends, reuniting with people, and reliving memories I thought were tucked away for good. My storage space has been like a time capsule of forgotten books; at one time, I was an avid reader, but now, I rely on Audible. If someone suggests a book, I head to Audible before even considering Amazon. And despite my attempts at decluttering, I can’t seem to part with these books, read or unread, autographed or not. They hold memories I can't replace.

Then there are the college papers, even textbooks, that I once thought would be lifetime references, this was long before I could just look things up on the Internet. But perhaps my most cherished find is a small book by Iyanla Vanzant called Acts of Faith. For years, I've set the goal of reading the Bible in a year, but my focus tends to drift. Still, I won’t give up, it remains something I truly want to accomplish. Instead, Acts of Faith is something I can turn to daily, and each time, its message feels fresh, like an “aha” moment. Somehow, each reading reveals something new, a wisdom that resonates differently over time.

This rediscovery of the old reminds me of how our professional skills are often revisited in new ways. Sometimes, an old method or idea suddenly feels relevant again or becomes the missing piece in tackling a current challenge. Sometimes, our goals get set aside, left on a shelf like an unread book. But there comes a time when we can pull them back down, revisit them, and use them in a new way—reshaping them for a different time and a better opportunity. What’s old can always be new again. Sometimes, it’s just about seeing it through new prescription glasses or even after a little corrective eye surgery.

School is Now in Home Session

It’s month-end, third-quarter close, and somehow, it feels like a quarantine flashback, complete with inclement weather, flickering lights, and my pre-teen shouting into Discord like it's an Olympic event! Balancing spreadsheets while the Wi-Fi plays hide-and-seek. That’s multitasking on a whole new level. At this point, the only thing more unpredictable than my son’s gaming commentary is the weather.

The alarm goes off, but who needs it? Looks like today’s spreadsheets will be traded for a much-needed nap, just to gear up and do it all again tomorrow. Time to rest up for another round of juggling quarter-end reports and chaos at home. Next time, I might just add ‘weather-proof’ to my resume! ***enpandemonium

Unplanned Blessings: My Journey into Motherhood

People who knew me before Evan can't believe it. They can't believe I'm a mom. They can't believe some of the things I do now. And honestly, neither can I.

Before Evan, I enjoyed seeing other people with their kids, but I never imagined myself as a mom. Now that I am, I can't help but wonder what took me so long. I’ve discovered I’m capable of everything I ever needed, even things I didn’t know I wanted.

I had the best role models. Both my grandmothers were incredible. They had green thumbs, cooked without recipes, and everything seemed to come naturally to them. But I’m sure it took years of practice to perfect their skills.

My dad was always surprised that I didn’t know how to cook. I was always in the kitchen with my paternal grandmother, but cooking wasn’t my thing. Over time, though, I've come to realize that I've inherited many of their qualities.

Both my grandmothers were creative in their own unique ways. My maternal grandmother could transform anything into something beautiful, like the Martha Stewart of our family. Though she often showcased her creativity indoors, she also spent time outside. My paternal grandmother grew blackberries, plums, and pomegranates and used them in her cooking. Now, when I watch HGTV, I can totally see her being on one of those shows.

Despite her constant fatigue—her catchphrase was "I'm so tired", my paternal grandmother never stopped. However with my maternal grandmother, a stroke appeared to be the catalyst in slowing her down, but not completely. They were unstoppable forces, and I'm proud to have inherited their creativity and determination.

And while I see so much of my grandmothers in myself, there are also qualities in my mom that I admire. Even though my brother and I are grown, she never stops working, never stops helping, never stops praying, or never stops giving her opinion! Ha! She just never stops.

I see those qualities in myself now, especially when I'm creating things with Evan. When he was younger, I never imagined I'd be doing some of the things I do now. But my creativity shines through when I'm helping him with school projects, organizing his gaming setup, or assisting with splicing his videos and making logos. My creativity truly comes in handy.

I never want to stop being supportive of my son. He's at an age now where he notices when other kids don't have the support at home that he receives from me. That recognition means the world to me.

I don't need extravagant accolades—his gratitude, even when he doesn't realize he's expressing it, is priceless. I can't imagine having a child other than Evan. He wasn't planned, and I certainly wouldn't plan for a second, but he's given me everything: the wherewithal, the truth wrapped in growth spurts, and a personality full of yelling and screaming. And I'm so appreciative, honored, and blessed to be his mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

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