A Thousand Tiny Steps
Grab a baguette or an Oreo Coolatta, and find out what Gracie has been up to for 3 months in France as I recount our family’s visit to France to see Gracie. From Gracie making a lot of supportive friends from all over the world to Jack eating all the ice cream he possibly can, and talking about the fact that it’s been 10 years since Molly died. Key Takeaways: [0:37] Gracie has lived in France for 3 months [3:05] Public transportation is one of the biggest differences [5:25] Food quality in France is superior to America [7:56] Disneyland Paris is different...
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As I’ve come up on the 10th anniversary of Molly’s death I look back on how as much as things change, they also stay the same. I was in Europe 10 years ago at this moment and that’s where I am now, but this time I’m trying to figure out where do I belong in life and how do I feel like I still have purpose as I age? Key Takeaways: [0:14] My memories of 2016 and going to Europe [2:38] Not going to the Marathon for years - and finally going back now [3:47] Reconnecting with so many lovely people at the Marathon [6:47] The...
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Jennifer Speidel, my long time friend and now author, wrote a book called Lady Justice and the Sisterhood of the Crones. A story of a corrupt world where women are silenced and it’s up to Mavon and Buluku to get justice, gain wisdom, and rise to their true power. Key Takeaways: [0:39] Why I decided to write my first book: womanhood and getting older [4:20] I started the book by writing the chapter titles and developing characters [6:05] Crones in the book and what it represents in real life [12:07] The...
info_outlineA Thousand Tiny Steps
Gracie has been living in France and is here to tell us all what it’s been like! From navigating bonjour correctly to making friends with people from all over the world, and just being in your 20s navigating new experiences and a whole lotta change. Key Takeaways: [0:44] I’ve been working for Disney in France for a 2 months and here’s what’s different [6:22] The pastries are to die for, but the food is bland [12:14] Portion sizes are definitely smaller [14:12] Disney World Orlando vs Disney Land Paris [17:59] The French go on strike a lot [19:52] Work...
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My mom is moving into what has been my office for years, another Molly birthday went by without her here, I’m exhausted from a lack of support, and I’m trying to find myself through it all. So if you also don’t know what you’re doing? Hi, I’m Barb! Join the club. Key Takeaways: [0:00] I bought my house 26 years ago [2:17] We’re moving my mom into my old office and it’s a lotta work [4:20] Molly’s been dead for 10 years [5:26] There’s a shift in the air [7:45] These past 18 months I’ve had to put myself aside for others [9:38] What’s next...
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I’ve been thinking a lot about aging… and purpose… and what it means to still matter. This is where I’m at right now. Connect with me: Transcript: This is a man with an incredibly high IQ who helped thousands of children in his years as an educator. When I called him up to thank him, he cried, and he said, it's just so nice to feel needed. My good friend David, it's like he's fighting an uphill battle all the time. And, and he remembers that aspect of himself. He is definitely still wanting to contribute to society. He was super helpful with me last...
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I didn’t know what to do. This is a story about the first time I realized something wasn’t right… and how long that moment stays with you. Connect with me: Transcript: It was a sunny summer afternoon in 1979. I was wearing a gold polyester uniform. I was a waitress at Weeks Family Restaurant. It was my first actual real job, and I loved it. Interacting with people, talking to people you would never talk to. I loved the people I worked with. As I looked toward the front of the restaurant, I saw a gentleman come in and sit at the counter. So I went down to...
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As I watched Colin Kaepernick’s documentary, I thought about the times in my life I felt rejected, times I felt underestimated by the men in my life, and the times I felt outcast by different groups and like I’m constantly walking a path trying to find the right one. Key Takeaways: [2:18] Colin Kaepernick's documentary: rejection is not failure, but calibration [4:09] Colin being adopted and feeling like a second choice [6:02] I feel like a second choice in many ways [8:43] What does recalibration and rejection even mean? [12:37] Trust your power, even when...
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I read the most wonderful piece of writing that is short, but so impactful because in five chapters it made me think through all the crap in my life that hasn’t gone well, but also to the future and what I could do with it. As I continue into March, I do so with trepidation - and perhaps, just a little hope. Key Takeaways: [1:08] Missing Gracie, keeping time, the CrossFit Open, weight gain, and my newsletter [4:47] An autobiography in five chapters [6:46] Chapter one: traumatic things that have hobbled me [7:43] Chapter two: my weight gain [9:10] Chapter three: my...
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It’s crazy to think about how many people I’ve connected with and I’ll never meet them. How many times I’ll stand in a subway, wonder if I knew a person from school, and never find out. Because life doesn’t always give us answers, but it always gives us choices. Which ones are right and wrong? Well, I’ll be here with you as I find out. Key Takeaways: [1:23] Is it about the destination or the journey? [3:17] I’m just left pondering and ruminating [6:08] The show Ripple is so reflective of my life right now [11:46] Thinking of how we’re connected to...
info_outlineI was fired from my coaching job, dealt with an inappropriate dad, an emotionally unstable teenager, and people that shot me nasty looks. All while having an unsupportive administrative staff that didn’t have my back. This is the story of the ups and downs of my coaching job at Bow.
Key Takeaways:
[3:21] Being hired at Bow High School as a coach
[5:55] The new athletic director hated me
[9:42] Our first meeting he chastised me for talking about Molly too much
[10:53] Transportation and me having the kids in my personal car became a problem
[12:19] Where the trouble began: the twins and Candice
[13:47] Using SnapChat to communicate with the students
[15:54] Being told not to talk about periods to my athletes
[17:11] Being told I couldn’t tie dye shirts with my athletes in my personal yard
[20:23] Candice didn’t want to run
[21:24] Being told I couldn’t put MollyB on team t-shirts
[23:04] Introducing Candice to Gracie and missing the awards ceremony
[26:35] Sending my tattoo in the group chat and offending Candice
[28:42] Being suspended because of the tattoo photo and the emails sent
[38:12] Being fired and Candice’s dad, Doug’s conversations with me
[46:38] Sending an angry email and making things personal with MD
[49:14] Issues with transportation for the team, activities, and social media
[52:47] Bow winning the team title was a big deal
[54:38] Being sent an anonymous nasty letter to my home
[59:11] I wasn’t inappropriate, but I messed up
[1:02:56] Past runners still reach out to me in gratitude
[1:04:33] People have stopped talking to me since all this
[1:06:49] MD didn’t help me and now I just have mementos to reminisce
[1:09:01] The worst part was that Gracie was hurt by all of this
Resources:
Connect with Barb: