Unfortunately, saying thank you seems to be an afterthought more and more. So at least once a month, I will take a few minutes to publicly appreciate someone that has had an impact on me.
This round: New Orleans Memories (many people)
Full disclosure: I’m still riding high from the Agile Denver Mile High 2024 reboot from last week. So honestly, it was a bit of a challenge to get into conference mode again in New Orleans. Especially since I was only attending a part of the event but I still wanted to do several shout outs for impactful moments (in no particular order but kind of in the order of timeline they happened):
- Realizing my airplane seat mate was Richard Lawrence. We got time to just catch up. Then later a partial mini reunion of several of the AFA peeps (Peter Green, Jake Calabrese, Steve Spearman). I really do miss interacting with them on a daily basis but so happy for all of them and what they are doing/planning!
- Bonus time with Christina Hartikainen as she happened to me in New Orleans for a different event at the same time. I am grateful for every minute with my wonderful friend.
- Seeing Bob Sarni’s picture up on the projector and knowing I couldn’t hug him…f cancer!
- Shout out to Devon Morris, Cherie Silas and all the participants in a discussion on intentionally increasing inclusion. I always learn something but the real moment that gave me goosebumps happened after the discussion was done. I was sitting at a table and I felt arms wrap around me for the most amazing hug. I didn’t know her but I could feel every part of that hug. Apriel Biggs later sent me a message that I might just print to remind me how much speaking up matters. I can’t wait to see and support this fantastic woman.
- After this conversation, I asked a personal conflicted question at the next block of discussions. Overall, the conversation was extremely informative (thank you Ian for your honesty, directness, and openness for options). But there are two moments in particular that I want to really highlight. One was there was a point when the discussion kept getting pulled into a us vs them discussion, I honestly got annoyed and just said “you’re right” – so we could move the conversation back to what was really being discussed. I then got more annoyed when that didn’t work and had to do it a second time, “I said, you’re right” but before I could defend (which is where my brain was going to go)… Dave Sharrock was an ally in helping create inclusivity for my sense of belonging and safety by saying “back to what Tricia was highlighting, what are some other options?”. I felt supported – not in the -I needed him to agree with me- sense but in that I didn’t want a debate about how I was feeling. I didn’t want invalidations of my conflicted experience. I didn’t want bashing other people/orgs. I wanted paths forward that felt ethical/aligned/helpful. In the end, I got the information I needed to help me as I make my decisions (very grateful). Then later, one of the people in the early inclusivity session, asked me directly if he was accurate in what he observed and how this played out…suddenly, there were tears in my eyes. Yes, I’m strong. Yes, I can hold my own. Yes, I can acknowledge that a person’s intent might have been incredibly good (although they saw me later that night and said absolutely nothing to me – so I doubt it, nor had they ever really talked to me before this interaction). Yes, I will be just fine. BUT ITS EXHAUSTING and if all of those things were not true, it would have stopped me from every voicing again without what Dave did. This is why education about intentional inclusive collaboration is so important.
- It’s a pretty cool thing to have someone that took your class in 2018 walk up to you, express their gratitude and enjoy hanging out with them for the next bit of time. Although I wasn’t very good at taking the compliment when someone asked a new person “who did you take your CSM with a few months ago?” and they said “couldn’t remember”. Having him reply, should have taken it from her…all these years later, “I remember”. I feel very honored. (Name removed without given permission)
- Getting to thank and wish David Hawks a wonderful retirement.
- Cheering and supporting people I adore that are up there speaking or behind the scenes doing the tough work. I love watching you all shine!!!
- Quality time just chatting, laughing, dancing, connecting, singing and exploring possibilities with long-time friends… and at the risk of accidentally leaving anyone out… you know who you are and I’m so very grateful to everyone that helps make me a better person.
But the savior of the trip for this woman that feels personally too old for this city… Reese Schmit came in with the ultimate win of bringing me ear plugs to the bar! You saved me from “Chenging out” early!
With such a short trip, I didn’t get a chance to spend time with everyone or enough anyway. I guess I’ll just have to keep making opportunities for our paths to cross.
Thank you for refilling my energy and heart!
A few pictures from the event. Of course I did a handstand but not on Bourbon street – not a chance my hands were touching anything on that road!
