Remember Me This Way

Hello Company Girls and Readers who haven't dropped me from their feed... I know, this blogging once a week thing isn't working for you. It's not working for me either. I really, really, really will try to get back going with this. No excuses, I should be able to do something a few days a week.

*sigh*

So last weekend was a total blast! I had a family session on Saturday morning. I pulled into the park that we were meeting at and couldn't believe my eyes! I have never seen so many people there! There was a horse show happening on one side and some sort of physical fitness training thing on the other. I couldn't even drive down the main road properly because of all the cars parked on the sides. And of course, I forgot to bring my client's phone number with me. So I called Hubby and asked him to look it up, got a hold of her and we eventually found each other. The park was so full of people there was just no way we were going to be able to do a proper session, so we decided to move to another park down the road.

On the way there, I got turned around while they were following me, and then they missed a turn when I was following them, but we finally made it to the park. After that the session went well, except for the part when the 2 year old almost fell in the creek!

I got home just in time for Hubby to leave for a project of his own. I fed the kids, put the baby down for a nap, scarfed some food down for myself, took a shower, got the baby up, repacked my gear and then when Hubby pulled in I took off again for a wedding.

I left a little bit later than I had planned and of course, being late I got behind all the slow people and caught all the lights. I had to stop for gas and a big Dr. Pepper, and when I got out of my car at the gas station I realized that my black pin stripe slacks were actually navy blue. doh! So much for my professional, all black photographer ensemble. I got back on the road and called Hubby when I got on the freeway to make sure the baby wasn't still freaking out from my departure. After I hung up, I zoned out for a few minutes (actually about 15 minutes) before coming to and realized I wasn't even supposed to be on the freeway!!! ACK!

So I drove 15 minutes out of my way. *sigh*

Thankfully, I pad my time enough that even with all the hangups I was only about 3 minutes late. Thank goodness. I called Allen (the photographer I work with) on my cell to find out exactly where he was.

Allen: Hello?
Me: Hey Allen it's Dawn
A: Oh hey Dawn!
Me: Hey! So where are you?
{long pause}
A: uh, well I am at the zoo with the kids.
Me: ha ha! No really, where are you?
A: I am at the zoo with the kids.
{kids screaming in the background}
Me: *blink* *blink* {brain trying to process information.}
{really long pause}
Me: Oh ALLEN!!! I am so sorry! I dialed the wrong Allen on my phone!!

The Allen I called was a friend's husband, and unfortunate recipient of many an unintentional phone call from me.

Sorry Allen.

A quick call to the right Allen confirmed I was indeed in the right place and at the right time (thank goodness) and so I gathered my things and headed to the ceremony site.

The wedding was a blast. The people were sweet and friendly and so much fun and the location was gorgeous!

While everyone was eating dinner, Allen, the wedding coordinators, the DJ and I gathered in the dancing room (it was separate from the dining area) to eat and sit for a minute. I had recognized the DJ from some events we had at the country club I worked at long ago (before kids). We were all eating at a table and the coordinators and DJ were discussing other events and other coordinators - apparently they all knew each other and worked together frequently. I usually don't talk much in settings like these, but I was curious so when the conversation lulled I asked if any of them had worked at the country club recently.

The coordinators both replied "no". The DJ said, "Dawn Fry!!"

lol

I had to laugh. "You remember my name?"

Shaking his head, "Dawn Fry!"

The coordinators: "Who is Dawn Fry?"

uh, that would be me.

We all talked for a minute or two after that about what I did in my past life and they asked me what I was doing now. I couldn't believe the DJ remembered my name. Suddenly it was time to get back to work.

A little later I got to thinking that I didn't ask him why he remembered me exactly. I mean it could have been because I was mean or because I really sucked. So when we had a moment, I walked over to his table and asked him.

"No, no," he said. "You didn't suck. I worked with Sloane a few times after you left." (Sloane was a girl who was brought on while I was there, then took over the department when I departed)

Smiling, he said, "And well, she was no Dawn Fry!"

I guess I can take that as a compliment. ;-)

******************************

At times I wonder if my contribution to the lives of the people I come across is a good one or a bad one. Sometimes I definitely know the answer. Other times, like in the case of the country club job, I felt like I was doing a good job and being nice to people, but it ended so badly that even though I feel like I did a good job, I still kind of wonder. But, getting that reaction from the DJ made me feel better about my time there.

I just hope that I make as good an impression on people in my life now. Though, if I think about it, I am not the same person I was then.

I guess only time will tell. Perhaps someday I will have another chance to ask someone how they remember me.

It kind of makes me sad that people only really express how they felt about someone at their funeral. If only we were so forthcoming with our feelings about our friends, family and even acquaintances when they are with us and can hear those good words, maybe so many of us wouldn't be living with depression and self esteem issues and the like.

So, tell someone how you feel about them this week. Even if it's a coworker, an acquaintance or someone you just met. Give them honest feedback - I think good or bad (as long as you are tactful), it just might make someone feel better about themselves.

I want to know how I come across; what it's like to know Dawn Fry. I want to know if I'm weird or witchy or sweet. I want to know if people actually value my opinion or if they think I am blowing smoke.

I want to know who the person in the mirror is to the world around me.

I think it would be interesting at the very least.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until,
D :)