Mark of Excellence

Last Friday was the annual awards ceremony for the St. Louis region of my company.  I wasn’t exactly thrilled that it was scheduled for 4pm in downtown on a Friday night, but since I didn’t have the kids and there were drinks following, I wasn’t exactly mad either.  The past few months at work have been busy and a little stressful.  I had a heavy hand in several changes that were implemented in my department early on in the year.  That as well as end of year processes have kept me pretty active.

 

At the ceremony, each department head presented the 2014 awards.  When the VP of my department got a few sentences into her speech, my hands began to shake.  The stuff she was saying, it was about me.  And it was all highlighting my accomplishments and being announced to the entire region.  Within seconds, it clicked in my head.  I was being presented with the award!!!!

 

From there, it’s all a blur.  My name was announced.  I walked across a stage and shook her hand while accepting the trophy for the “Mark of Excellence”.  If I would have been able to comprehend what was actually going on, I probably would have cried.

 

I’ve never had a moment like that before.  I know I work hard and have had many accomplishments over the course of my time at my company, but I never once thought I would be recognized for it more than just a good job here or there.  So I was completely surprised to receive this honor.

 

After the ceremony and reception, I stopped by my parents’ house to show it off.  It felt so good when they proclaimed their pride in me.  It felt good to be proud myself.

I shared the news with a few select friends and received congratulations.  In response, I stated that I was both shocked and elated that I was presented with this award.  One of my dearest friends replied, “I’m not shocked at all!  You are smart and awesome.”  I’m not sure why, but that comment meant the world to me.

 

It’s been three years since I was wrought with the decision to end my marriage.  Three years ago, my life was so off course from where I knew it could be.  I was overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted from the life I was living. 

 

Look at me now! 

 

I don’t mean that to sound cocky in the slightest, as I know I would never be where I am now without a God focused life and the support and love of my family and friends.  I still have a long way to go in becoming the person I was created to be, but these small accomplishments along the way serve as a mark that I’m heading in the right direction.   A mark of excellence.  And it’s those little reminders that carry the most weight.