Things happen for a reason … at least I hope so
So how did all this happen? I didn’t move to Atlanta because I hated Cleveland. On the contrary, I love Cleveland. It’s my home, my sense of place. But who am I to ignore new opportunities and new adventures? When I was offered a job transfer in 2002, I took it. My husband liked the idea as well.
Fast forward to 2010. I’ve been divorced 3 years. And while I have wonderful friends in Atlanta, my trips to visit family and friends are becoming more frequent. My parents are nearing 80. I’m feeling disconnected from the people and things that matter to me. But I tuck it all in the back of my mind and keep on keeping on.
Then a funny thing happened. I come to Cleveland for my brother’s wedding. But I have to stay the week because my niece is performing in a play the following weekend. So I borrow some office space from my friends at Marcus Thomas. I get to sit in the president’s office while he’s off traveling. (As a thank-you gift, I leave him a framed copy of my 6th grade school photo nestled among his lovely family photos. I give him credit … it only took 2 hours before he noticed it.)
While most of the Marcus Thomas team wonders who the heck is sitting in the president’s office, I reconnect with the partner in charge of the public relations group. My former boss. Over the years, she’s asked me about coming back to MT. My reaction was always the same: A little grin and a “well, maybe someday” comment. This time, the stars were aligned. She spoke of a specific opportunity. I raised my eyebrow, immediately intrigued. She didn’t expect it. We had lunch. She talked to the other partners. Two weeks later, we had an agreement.
Holy cow, I’m moving back to Cleveland. And three weeks later, I did.
