Good Things Come In 3.5's

Remember that old saying that things, good or bad, come in threes?

Well apparently my life recently decided to go with 3.5.

 

Thankfully, the first three definitely landed in the “good” category.

 

 

Yes. THAT Nasdaq tower.

 

If you had told the younger version of me juggling caregiving, burnout, grief, business pivots, and exhaustion that one day this would happen, I’m pretty sure she would have channeled one of Papa Kemp’s legendary facial expressions. The ones that silently communicated complete disbelief while simultaneously questioning your sanity. 

 

Second, not long after that, I was selected from more than 50 applicants to present during Innovation Women's 11th Anniversary Speaker-A-Thon.

For eleven minutes, I shared a message that has become central to my work:

“Performance Didn’t Change. The Context Did: How experiential storytelling changes what audiences remember, feel, and do.”

  

And third, I also released the Beyond Burnout Masterclass. A 33-minute conversational-style masterclass with a companion reflection workbook.

 

What struck me afterward was the timing.

 

 

Sixteen years. I had to let that sink in for a moment.

 

At the time of her stroke, I had no idea caregiving would eventually shape both my personal life and my life’s work so deeply. I never could have imagined that walking through the journeys of both Little Mama and Papa Kemp would one day become the very thing that allows me to help leaders better support their teams and understand the hidden realities so many employees are carrying.

 

 

Last week I shared the story about my police encounter and the “rolling stop” lesson from Mother’s Day and my Aldi’s run for wine and snacks.

Apparently, God decided I still needed a refresher course.

 

Last Thursday evening, I somehow managed to leave my driver’s side window completely down while still instinctively locking the car door.

 

Yes. Locked.
Window wide open. Well done Maria!⭐️

 

And of course, that happened during the exact window of time when the sun disappeared, the clouds rolled in, and the heavens absolutely burst open.

 

Not a light drizzle.
Biblical-level rain.

 

I was 35 minutes from home with one towel in the trunk and enough standing water on the floorboard that I genuinely wondered whether the car would even start.

 

The rain was so intense it filled the cupholder in the center console and soaked parts of the passenger seat and floorboard too.

 

I will spare you the Olympic-level gymnastics I’ve been doing ever since trying to dry the car out.

 

But honestly? Building a relationship with my auto repair shop over the years has paid off more than once and once again their help was game-changing.

 

I’m beginning to recognize a pattern. Or maybe finally answer the “clue-phone, it’s for you Maria.”

 

And maybe even a gentle warning, nudge, or soft kick.

 

I don’t think God is nearly as amused by my continual “rolling stops” as I apparently am.

 

Meanwhile, I’m over here patting myself on the back for my efficiency, productivity, color-coded to-do list, and multitasking proficiency while sensing the biggest eye roll imaginable from above.

 

Why am I sharing this?

 

No friend, not for sympathy.
Not for “how to dry your car” tips.
Not because this is secretly sponsored by Bath Towels of America.

 

I’m sharing it because many of us have gotten so good at functioning while overwhelmed that we no longer recognize the warning signs.

But sometimes life finds another way to tap the brakes when we miss the flashing lights in the rearview mirror one too many times.

 

So consider this your not-so-gentle check-in:

Because eventually the body, mind, spirit, relationships, or yes… even the car… may decide for you.

 

Wet floorboards dry eventually. But being so exhausted that you lock the door while leaving the window wide open?

 

That deserves your attention.

 

More to come.

Chef Maria

 

P.S. Yes...the car survived. And yes, I'm now much more careful about checking my windows before locking the doors.