My granddaughter and my Pomeranian have apparently agreed that there’s only a 50:50 chance they should actually stop what they’re doing when I yell ‘No!’.
Honestly, I was expecting applause
Mid purge of my linen closet this week, I reminded myself to be brutal. This was, after all, my 2nd purge of the same linen closet in less than a year. So I asked myself all the things I knew I should: Had I used that pillow in the last 6 months? Did that blanket bring me joy? Do I have room for those sheets? Why am I keeping the towel? I knew the answer before I asked the questions. If I had to contemplate, I didn’t need the thing, whatever it was.
Now a lifetime ago, my best friend and I owned a business making baby blankets. Our oldest kids got the prototypes and our younger kids got the newest versions. Our business cards gently boasted that we made personalized, knitted baby blankets, and nothing less.
Fast forward 30 years and my kids are grown men. My best friend has gone on to heaven. Her children have become most precious young women. Boy or girl, everyone still has at least one personalized, knitted baby blanket.
When a coward faces a purge a good option is to let someone else decide. So I brilliantly sent my kids separate text messages asking if they would a) cry or b) applaud if I disposed of their baby blankets. I was positive they’d give me courage to say goodbye to the knit and perl and shell stitches, the blocking and basting too.
But the answers from my sons were shocking in the best way imaginable. The word “cry” came immediately from the younger followed by 20 crying emojis from the oldest.
Obviously, the blankets have survived the great purge of 2018. And my linen closet holds, for at least a while longer; personalized, knitted memories that we aren’t willing to part with.
On retiring
Two months ago I retired after a 17.5 year career at IBM. IBM was an amazing place to work. I took advantage of countless opportunities to learn, lead, travel and build relationships. IBM changed our family life financially, and in part, shaped The Yerkes family into what it is today.
We gave up some family time due to my career. If I’m being honest, we gave up both quantity and quality time. The flexibility allowed me to be close to 2 dear friends as they lived and died with cancer. We saw our sons through graduations, life and career beginnings, as well as struggles and painful emotional times. I’m so grateful that I was able to join IBM and to stay as long as I did. It worked for me, for us, for a really long time. One of the things I always told people considering joining IBM was that you have to find something that makes it ‘worth it’. There’s an awful lot of politics and red tape and upheaval that go on at a giant corporation. But, if you love traveling the world like I do, iBM can provide that opportunity. If you like beginning and ending your workday 3 hours earlier than your neighbors (like I do), IBM can provide that opportunity. If you like process and hierarchy; you’ll find it. If you want to be part of technology that is changing the world, you can be in on the ground floor.
My IBM colleagues included authors, athletes, religious leaders, photographers, animal rights activists, cancer survivors, feminists, public speakers, scientists, students, gay activists, economists, wealthy people, wealthy people drowning in debt, obese people, military leaders, faithful people and even a few scoundrels. The environment was so dynamic that I never ever got bored. Unfortunately, I worried more than I should’ve and didn’t sleep a lot. But, I took advantage of the opportunity to change roles within the company many times and made it (from my perspective) worth it for many years. And now I’ve left it. I’m done with that life.
I’m a wife and a mom and a grandma and a dog mother! My current concerns are primarily around my husband’s health and keeping his meds and appointments and treatments straight. His emotional well being is greatly improved when I’m attentive. I love doing this stuff and can actually see positive outcomes almost every day. It’s really a joy to do jobs that strengthen this family.
I feel spoiled with all the time at my disposal. I’ve renewed my personal Bible study time, I’ve reconnected with several old friends (not to mention new friendships), and begun seriously organizing our home. Our adult children have communicated their care for my well being and are really interested in what I do with my days. One of the things my husband said to help me make this transition was: I’m not quitting work, I’m starting a new job. I don’t know if that sounds mean to you but it actually helped me a lot. No matter what I do or don’t get paid, I’ve already found another amazing place to work. 
On being a grandparent
It’s like they say. My first grandchild is THE grandchild. She’s smart, she’s beautiful. I’m offended by comments that are anything less than effusive. I’m a grandma, it’s obvious.
Ada is now 10 months old. A happy girl, delighted by new and familiar faces. Reduced to giggles whenever Grandpa makes up a new game.
Ada’s first challenges have been physical: rolling over was hard a few weeks ago, but now crawling is the thing.
There’s a beautiful tension between Ada and me. She’s challenged to move forward, and I’m challenged to hold still while she struggles.
This is just the beginning. I pray that Ada’s life includes many strong challenges that motivate and teach her. And Grandma’s learning too; learning to watch and wait and revel in each new step.