Making Life Changes

Making life changing choices are very hard, but when you make them with no regrets how can you lose? Mine brought me to Owensboro in 1994.

In February of 1992 I was in Michigan running a Disc Jockey Music Store. I worked hard, was involved in my community, and caught the eye of the owner who is also very involved in his community. I was always super independent so when I got the call to see if I would consider moving to Owensboro to work at the home office, I packed up my bags and left everything I knew behind in Michigan. I still to this day remember that long drive in the moving van and crossing the Ohio River Bridge very late in the evening. I remember it vividly like it was yesterday! But, it wasn’t yesterday and much has changed through the years. I have been in radio since college so after I settled into my new job, I was ready to take on weekend broadcasting again. I worked at a rock station in Michigan, but everyone said that the best station in the tri-state is WBKR and that’s where I needed to go. I said, but its country. I’ve been working Saturday mornings ever since! My job and my move to Owensboro brought me to my husband in December of 1996. Through the years, I have missed so many family events which is always difficult, but I try to get home a few times a year. I was blessed with two amazing jobs, wonderful new friends, a great husband, step-son and two sweet puppies. In 2013 everything changed and I started putting some things into perspective. My Mom was battling breast cancer. My Dad was her caregiver and I longed to be home to help him and spend time with her. My caring, amazing Dad was diagnosed with cancer in April and a short two months later passed away from the disease. Then quite suddenly my husband’s Mom became ill and passed away in December. Two weeks later my courageous Mom lost her hard fought battle in January of 2014. 2013 was a tough year indeed, but with the Lord by my side, I knew great things were in store for me if I just forge ahead and be the best Barb I can be. Then came 2015 and I suddenly became very ill and spent time in the hospital. That was a tough time without my Mom and Dad here, but I pulled up my bootstraps, prayed and still knew something great would be in store for me. Then this past October my husband’s Dad passed away in his sleep. I started to think about my life and legacy. I am always the last to leave work and I lose vacation days most years. I have my laptop with me on vacations and weekends. I carried the weight as it is often said. I got my work ethic from my Dad so it should be no surprise. I could never do anything less than 110%. So, will my legacy be that I was a dedicated, good worker?  I’ve been praying for the Lord to give me some guidance as I work through this question. Last month he did just that. After almost 24 years I will be leaving WaxWorks this week for a new adventure. Everyone is calling me brave for making such a big decision and say that they wish they could do the same thing. My response is, to figure out what makes you happy, pray on it and follow your heart. It’s far too easy to be comfortable at work and in life. This is all there is for me, I’m not qualified to do anything else, I may not make the same pay, the people I work with are like family, etc. These are things I’ve heard from people since I made my decision. Everyone has their own journey in life. Live it with no regrets. Life is fragile. My parents passed away at 67. If the Lord takes me at 67 then I have a good 17 years ahead of me. I plan to make the most of it building a new legacy. How about you?