Last week was like a country song — my dog died, my job radically changed and my family was left in a position that gives me acid reflux. And all that was after coming off the huge high of running my first marathon and raising $13,000 for cancer research. It got so ridiculously bad that I was waiting for my mother to get “runned over by a damned ol’ train.” I was defeated. I was deflated.
I got the bad news on Thursday. Someone leaked it on Facebook and soon my page was lighting up like a Christmas tree. People were very supportive. The phone started ringing. TV stations wanted me to comment — I chose not to. My focus was no longer on the past (my amazing career at The Clarion-Ledger.). It was on my future. What was I going to do now that I have to grow up? I had to make sense of my new, reduced role at the paper. I had to find out how to get health insurance coverage for my family. And I had to do in a hurry what I should have been doing for the past couple of years: Build a lifeboat.
I almost went to Tulsa a couple of years ago. I turned down a very lucrative job offer there to stay in Mississippi. Why? I believe in this state. But that crossed my mind a few times last week. Did I make the right move? I also did a radio show (filling in for Sid Salter) the day my job changed. I did three hours of radio while I was in shock. But the funny thing is, I did a pretty good job. Part of me wonders if that is in my future as well.
I had to mourn my dog and my job. Cobble together a way to keep my family safe and then start planning for the future. All in two days.
But the encouragement kept pouring in. I heard from people in high places and I heard from everyday Mississippians. People are behind me 100%. My cousin Dave sent the most amazing e-mail — it lit a fire under me and got me moving. A great project came my way at my church. And thankfully I got to keep drawing so you can see my cartoons. And as a bonus, I can work from the house. The windows are opening up after the door slammed in my face.
Here’s what I’ve done so far. I’ve laid the foundation for the future. I now have an LLC. That means I have a new business called Tiny Wheels Media. (named after the wheels on my cars I draw). It’s not a business to compete with any of the other media entities out there –it’s a way for me to put all my talents under one fiscal roof. I’ll be a speaker. A cartoonist (for The Clarion-Ledger and Creators Syndicate). An illustrator. A book salesman. And a motivator. I’m also working on some other potentially exciting deals.
Back when I was a janitor, I fell into the trap of feeling sorry for myself. I broke out that trap by using my talents. Twenty years later, I intend to do it again — just this time much better.
Life is changing rapidly and I think it’s for the better. I appreciate everything from my past. I cherish the great things that are coming in the future. And I’m blessed to have a wonderful family and friends. I’m a leaf in a whirlwind right now. But I know I’m going to land in a great place.
