May 29th, 2020 2:16 pm…

It is Friday. Normally, I would finishing lunch and headed towards the home stretch of my 10 hour shift at the salon. This is not a normal Friday. Even though, this has been the 11th Friday like this one, I cannot get used to not being there. No, this Friday I sit on the beach and regroup, reinvent, and reflect.

I have always been a hard worker and nothing can change that. I have been working hard for more then half my life. I have had the fortunate experience to never be out of work and always have purpose. I have gotten any position I have ever interviewed for. I worked until 3 days before my son was born(10 days past his due date) and returned 6 weeks later. I broke my foot and never took a day off. Took a week when both my father and fiancé passed away. I’ve worked with stitches in my hand, a dislocated shoulder and retuned to work 4 weeks after having broken my elbow. All separate injuries.

On March 21st, we were told all salons in New York would be closed indefinitely. Indefinitely. That word stuck in my head. Such disregard for a multi-billion dollar industry. An industry which employed thousands of professionals. Professionals who work one on one with individuals everyday. They make me feel as good as I make them feel. Each client smiling as they finish leaves a lasting impression on me. Each service I deliver, every heart I touch, never again taken for granted.

My work is a career, a passion, the thing that makes me strive to be better everyday, the only way I know how to live. I went to beauty in 1997 thinking it would be my plan B. I have never looked back. I have been at my current position for over 11 years now. My coworkers have become family. I have spent thousands of dollars on education and tools, and countless hours training to be the professional I am today. Then I was told I couldn’t practice anymore. Devastating.

No one needed to tell me to keep going, I did because that’s all I know. I work hard. While, I have slowed down, I’m still doing what I love. I’m educating myself and others. I’ve set goals and made lists. I plan on coming back stronger than before. Not just professionally, but personally as well. The most important thing I’ve learned was about myself. I have read books, completed countless puzzles, watched way too much tv, baked, cooked every meal, crocheted 3 blankets, made masks and ear savers which were donated, I spent hours with my son, hours on end with my dog, and I’ve explored new places.

I have been truly humbled and am more grateful now than I ever have been. I have searched deep within my soul and learned I love people. I love human interaction. I love what I have chosen to do with my life. I love my home, my son, and my family. I miss my work, I miss my family, I miss human interaction on a daily basis. I miss hugs, and laughing with the people I love. I miss my life the way it was.

I look forward to a different future. I look forward to living life the way it was meant to be lived, as an experience. I have had adversity, strife and devastation before this and will have it after this. Some things are not within our control, but there is so much that is. We choose how we live, I look for the good even in the bad. If you’re not happy with your life you’re doing it wrong.