Random Nick’s mom “State of the Caff’s” observations
Random notes that I really should just put in my journal but I think I’m so witty and entertaining, that I am publishing them so that I can inflict my opinions and remarks on life on anyone silly enough to subscribe to my feed:
1) Sleep is NOT overrated, no matter what you hear from brilliant facebook publishers. When a person doesn’t sleep for a couple of days, while eating nothing but leftovers from her son’s party Saturday nights and the “m&m”s from the office, there will be a crash around day 3. Suffice it to say that some people might find their organs going on strike for rest and sustenance. When a person’s digestive system just stops working, it doesn’t matter if you stop eating. Bad things will happen. Just trust me on this on, OK? Make different mistakes.
2) Being a sales rep again, while providing me with a great job and pretty good money to support the family, is sucking the very life out of me. I thought I was going to die when Q1 closed with me not on my number. Now it is the end of Q2, and this has been a rough quarter, to say the least. All I can say is that I might just physically cease to live if I don’t start closing some business. I just don’t have the stomach for this rollercoaster. The only way to flatten out this ride is to get the big win earlier in the game. Please pray that Q3 is an “UPSIDE” quarter, and the proverbial rally cap of me twilight of my sales career. I have never mixed work and prayer so much in my life – the only way we will lose is if it is just not God’s Will for SAS to proliferate my territory right now. In the Name of Christ Yeshua, I pray for 200%. In fact, I pray that I am at least 200%, and still not the best producer in NSG. Even though my boss is totally cracking me, I think he is a fine human being, our team is just so awesome and our products are above average across the board and some are even pretty amazing. It must be God’s will. [SIDEBAR: it is worth noting that, this week, for the first of what will probably be many times, my boss told me have to stop the “God Willing stuff” that I always say when I talk about deals. Evidently, someone might get offended by my proclamations. Well, I’m trying to quit cussing all of the time. First things, first, right?]
3) It may be “just a car”, but the whole act of considering trading the AMG, then shopping for a car, then the test drive with the cute sales guy, then showing the boys, then the actual transaction, then having something NEW in my life that I chose instead of was chosen for me, well that was fun. This is the first decision I have made since the accident that I made thinking only about me. Of course, I my guys all figure prominently in all of my decisions, however this was the first time in years that I was selfish. I won’t be making a habit of it, but I appreciate the opportunity. So thanks be to God, whose Grace covered this whole thing – from me letting go of something I really cared about from the past to making a decision based solely on how I “felt” about something. My feelings are rarely even in the top 10 evaluation criteria in the choices that I make in life these days. Gratitude abounds. [SIDEBAR: I really do have a crush on my car guy and I really hope he doesn’t read this, but if he does, so what. I wonder if he would be glad or completely grossed out. Anyway – carguy, if you are reading this, pretend like you didn’t when I see you again. You know - if I need an ashtray or something else I don’t use.]
4) Nick having minor surgery this week. It is a urinary tract thing and the result of the surgery will be that we don’t have to catheter him anymore. I’m sure you are wondering why we didn’t do this before. I am wondering that, too. With that, please pray that all goes according to plan and is completely routine, and that Nick is much better for having this surgery. Nick’s pre-op was today, Mike is going out of town tomorrow and Thursday, and then Nick’s surgery is Friday. Please continue to pray for us as we deal with details in the new normal life we are living. Please know that your prayers DO matter, and I DO feel you lifting us up, and God is pleased when you intercede for us (for anyone – not just us). Thanks for living la vida loco with the Caffs.
5) Props to the Oracle Alumni who have made a generous contribution to the Nick Cafferky Special Needs Trust. I cannot properly express my gratitude for the quality of the “fellow travelers” in this crazy industry that have been my colleagues and friends over the years. It seems almost crazy to remember that I was pregnant with Nick when I first met them some of these folks and, remarkably, some are still part of my life. [SIDEBAR: The “fellow travelers” is a metaphor that Pat Kerrigan, a Sybase+ friend, used that I always thought was so apt. I actually think it’s a “Lord of the Rings” concept. I will mention here that the Kerrigan Family: Pat, Kathy (or Pathy and Kat as I sometimes say) Mike and Shannon have been “with” us consistently since the first day they heard about Nick. If you guys are reading this, please know that you are always on my prayer list and you have been so great to us during this weird/tragic/uplifting/horrible/wonderful/blessed season in our family’s life.]
6) Nick just blossoms like a flower with each friend that has come home from school and each social interaction he has. I realize he was starving for some real-life interaction with his peer group. I think that we are at full friend capacity (most everyone Nick hangs out with is in town and inclined to hang out at CampCaff) right now, and Nick is just thriving. He actually worked out AND showered last week. He had a party on Saturday night, and he took the reins on all party management, including delegating tasks to his friends and caregiver, Dennis. In fact, I am really just now noticing how much Nick has been trying to be the boss of Nick. I am pretty happy about this and I am enjoying watching him thrive for the first time in a very long time. Thanks be to God.
7) I really enjoy “facebook”. I have been pleasantly surprised by those who I have connected and reconnected with. I wish I could just blog on my facebook notes, but I know most of you reading this don’t do the facebook thing. Probably because your kids won’t let you. Well, don’t NOT do the facebook thing (I will just call it FB from now on) just because your kids don’t want you to! Just tell them that they don’t have to “friend” you if it makes them uncomfortable. These kids think it’s all about them, when they need to realize that it is really all about ME. No wait, it’s all about Jesus, that’s right. JThat is all I have time for now. However, I do have a pretty funny post-party story to tell so I hope to share that, since I am so witty and entertaining. I do it all for the audience…. Anyway – remind me to tell you about the “Vodka Incident” on Sunday.
Peace,
Nick and the B’s Mom