A catchy little phrase often used at the turn of spring, can be used in
a second way toward life.
Every day, we face our own battles, struggles between who we are, and
who we want to be. Or, where we are, and where we want to go. These are all
things we as people contemplate and move towards. These thoughts help define
the decisions we make going into the future and beyond. This is where we hit
the fork in the road and have to choose the route worth taking. It is where we
see what we are made of and what we can endure, the storm, the chaos, the
journey.
If it was not for the rain, we would not appreciate the sunlight; a
thought that rings especially true with me these days. I came to the Dominican
Republic after careful conversation with my husband on his own plans and goals
for the future. We knew this is where he could break into the baseball world,
and without a thought against it we packed out belongings and flew to a new life.
Now, the DR is a beautiful place filled with rich culture, great beaches and
incredible possibilities. I guess that is the perk to most developing
countries, they have so much potential.
Knowing what it was my husband wanted to do, baseball, it was our goal
to get him as a scout for a MLB team and headed in a management direction.
Only, we had no idea how hard it was going to be. To ease the minds of my parents,
and better the idea of us leaving a well- paying job and life for something a
little more rough around the edges; we fibbed and said he had already obtained
a scouting position and we had to go so he could begin work. In reality, we had
no idea where we were going to start with his dream, and we came to the DR only
after the advising of a MLB director to come here and there “may” be a position
open. So we came, and to our luck, no
position was open. We heard nothing for months, running through our precious
savings and running out of hope. I
landed a job as a teacher at a local bilingual school to help pay bills and buy
food, knowing it was not what I wanted but what I needed to do.
Just when we both thought we couldn’t take anymore, a call came. The
call was from Abe’s father who wanted to inform him that the Texas Rangers
wanted to sponsor Abe to go to “scout school,” a two week program here in the
DR, that prepares soon to be scouts, new scouts and old scouts for the world of
scouting. This was just the opportunity we had been waiting for, and after two
long weeks, Abe returned with not only valuable knowledge, but an abundance of
contacts!
We were so sure, he would have a job by Christmas, and we felt confident
that our lives were finally on the up and up. Interviews came and went, but
nothing. Then one week before we were scheduled to leave, Abe had an interview
with the Director of the White Sox, a God send it you ask me. When he showed up
at the hotel to meet Mr. Marco Patty, he was not there. Fratically, Abe waited,
if only Mr. Patty knew how important this was to my husband, if only anyone
understood what we had been through. After three long hours of waiting Mr.
Patty pulled up to the hotel, surprised I am sure, that Abe was still waiting
to meet with him after all this time. They talked for hours, into the night and
when everything was said and done, Marco felt that Abe maybe just what he was
looking for. This is what I like to refer to as a Christmas Blessing.
During the next few weeks, Abe had the chance to tag along with the
other White Sox scouts and see what they do, while giving his own skills and
knowledge of baseball. Something he did worked, because after two long weeks,
many months and a lot of stress he was offered the job. Finally, he would be
following his heart and working toward his dreams.
Meanwhile, still working at the school, I was unhappy about the pay, my circumstances
and the future of my career. I was happy for my husband, but unsatisfied with
myself. Scared to bring up the subject to my husband, I hid my feelings and
became more and more on edge. Finally, I discussed the idea of moving back to
the states without Abe in order to get my own career on track. To my surprised
he was in 100% agreement with my thoughts, unselfishly looking at the big
picture and not the present circumstances. I was proud of where our
relationship had come, and what we had evolved to. It was good to feel completely
confident in something. It was nice to
see where we had come and how much trust and respect we both had for each
other.
With his confirmation to search for the job of my dreams, I began to
reach out to people and companies I had been interested in for years. Belk,
being one of them. Not only is Belk one of the best department stores in the
south, but for someone looking to get into merchandising and hoping to be a
buyer in the future, it was a very good choice for me and happens to be located
near my hometown.
At this point, I had applied so many times, not only to Belk, but to
many other buying programs and merchandising positions in the area and
throughout the U.S., becoming depressed because I felt that I would never hear
back from anyone. Then, almost within weeks of our conversation, I got a call
late at night. Thinking it was my father, and hoping to tell him Happy
Birthday, I was surprised to hear a women’s voice on the other end. The women
said she worked for Belk and wanted to see if I could come for the Merchandise
Assistant interview that Friday. Without a hesitation I said yes, and begin
making flight arrangements.
When I got to the Carolinas, I became overwhelmed with the ideas of
getting and not getting this position. The pressure of landing the foot in the
door dream job of a lifetime was too much to handle, and became worried that I
would not be able to step up to the plate. Come interview time, I sat in the
car for an hour at the Belk building reading over notes and names and
information that I wanted to discuss. I went into the interviews and gave them
my all, but was a little weirded out by the way things ended; Very matter of
fact. I was unsure I had showed my passion and determination to succeed. Reliving every word and every hand shake, I
was gradually making myself crazy.
Flying back to the DR that weekend, with many things in the air and
unresolved, I could not help to feel
overwhelmed and concerned about what would happen next. To ease my mind, I
decided to reach out the Belk Company and all the people whom I had the
pleasure of interviewing with. I told them how grateful I was for the interview,
and reminded them of the skills and qualities I had to bring to the company. By
Monday morning I received the call. I had been extended an offer and would
start by the end of the month. Prayers answered, now I am packing my things and
headed back to the place I had to leave to do the thing I love. These are just
some of my most recent storms, but just like everything, they too have calmed
and the sun has resurrected from a dark place. I guess April showers really do bring May
flowers.
