Queen Bees {Linkup #2}
Welcome to the 2nd installment of the Queen Bees Linkup which I’m co-hosting with my friend Katy. Do you have a woman in your life who inspires you? Here’s your chance to give her a shout out and show her some love. To find out more information visit here.
So there was this time in my life when I was uptight and anxiety ridden and took life way too seriously. I worked for a boss who came to work at the crack of dawn, ate lunch at her desk and never left before five. She was all business all the time. At the time I thought it was the way the workplace had to be. She retired and my life change forever!
Meet Lallah Marguerite Howard! Seriously, how could she be anything but awesome with a name like that! I mean look at her!!
I sat on the interview committee and will never, ever forget her interview. One of the members asked “how do you relieve stress” which seemed like an easy enough question. She looked at us all and said “oh, I don’t know, go home and kick my dog”. Everyone in the room was staring with their mouths open and she followed up with “oh it’s just a small dog”. She was kidding of course but I seriously thought this chick is toast!
That was in 1997 and a short 18 years later this lady has had a huge impact on my life! Here are just a few ways she has helped to inspire me and shape me into the person I am today once as my boss but mostly as my friend.
{Work Ethic}
Let’s see, the first thing she taught me is my work does not define me! Even though we spend so much time in the workplace she always, always made sure we knew our families came first. She understood the need for “mental health” days and provided a great example of how to balance personal life and working outside the home.
I have only been pissed at her one time the entire time I’ve known her. As I sat in a staff meeting one day rattling off all the issues I had going on she looked at me and said “I don’t want problems, I want solutions. Figure it out.” I was so damn mad at her but it was one of the biggest lessons I have ever learned. I waltzed back to my office and learned to delegate and started looking at our processes and ways we could make a few changes to relieve some workload. It was the best work advice I have ever received.
{Have no Fear}
If there is one thing Lallah knows how to do it is soak up life! I was all kinds of anxiety stricken and had no clue how much life I was wasting. We went to Cancun together and it was the first time I had ever flown. I seriously think she wanted to pop me. Whether she was speeding across the water on the jetski or dragging me parasailing she was up for an adventure. I think the craziest thing I ever saw her do was jump on the back of a motorcycle with some random guy we met at the Chicken and take off for a ride. She has changed jobs, sometimes even completely out of her comfort zone and even when it meant relocating to a foreign country, and she always trusts things will work out.
{Care for Others}
About 6 years after she became my boss, an audit uncovered one of our coworkers had been stealing money. It wasn’t just a little bit of money it was alot of money. This person had been like a family member to us all. At a time when Lallah could have placed blame on that employee’s supervisor or been concerned for her own job she did something I will never, ever forget. She called the Human Resources group and arranged for someone to come meet with our entire office to offer counseling and guidance on how to process our feelings and move forward. She totally put us first because she cared that much.
{Red Wine & Stinky Cheese}
I had no clue red wine could be so good! Lallah knew her stuff and she totally taught me how to drink red wine and eat stinky cheese. Oh my goodness the stories the walls could probably tell. She has spent many hours listening to me pour out my heart about my life over wine on her patio. My favorite part about her is nothing shocks her. She is genuine and real and offers sound advice with my best interest at heart and no judgement. My secrets are always, always safe with her.
There are a few people who come into your life and you have no doubt they were placed there for a reason. Lallah, sweet friend, I know you were placed in mine to help me become a better mom, a better wife, a better coworker and a better friend. You will forever be in my heart!
Now it’s your turn! Do you have a woman in your life who has inspired you?
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What a strong and fearless lady you portrayed. I love when we can learn a thing or two without competition from other women. Thanks again for the opportunity to share a Queen Bee with others.
Off the top of my head I cannot think of a woman who has had this much influence on my life as Lallah has clearly had on yours. Wow! What a blessing she has been and what a testimony you can bear to about her. It has definitely made me think how I may or may not influence those around me. As always, thanks for the realness and transparency of your blog, I always enjoy reading it!
I feel very lucky to have crossed paths with her! I am definitely always thinking about ways my actions or my compassion might be able to shape someone else….not sure I'm always portraying the best of myself however. 🙂 Thanks for reading! Your comment means so much.
I love this post!!!! I wanted to be her friend right after I read, "I don't know…kick my dog!!"
Relationships with girlfriends are paramount…I always think you've found someone special when they know everything about you and like you anyway;)!!!
Great post!!! xoxo
True….so true!
Love this post – and love Lallah!! Miss her!!
She's the best!
What an awesome friend to have – she sounds amazing! Love when we aren't afraid to teach our friends – tough love can be the hardest thing to give and the best thing to receive. Great post!
What a funny, fabulous lady!! It's not often you hear of a boss becoming a best friend! Thanks for sharing her story!
That is my sister. And I would never expect anything less from her. She has always been awesome. All three of us owe a great thanks for the way our parents raised us. Never pushing, just do your thing.
That is an awesome name! What is your favorite stinky cheese?
I love this! Thanks for linking at Women With Intention Wednesdays! 🙂