Reality - you are not alone

My public life (the SoMe one) is all travel, good times and fun but let's be honest, no one has a life that is perfect like that - okay, maybe someone does, but not me. My life is amazing, and I try to live every moment of it, good and bad.

This weekend was a weekend home after a week of reality - a welcome weekend home that was just as amazing as the weekends away.    The weekend was  mixed of mourning and celebration of life, comforting a dear friends and family, dancing and dining with friends.  Now, I am back sitting in front of my computer, where you will find me Monday-Friday, working on a job I really do enjoy, and that affords me the flexibility to work wherever I am.

Right now, as I sit in front of my computer, I am praying for friends, for family, for all of us as we all have things going on in reality that others may or may not (more times than not, it is the latter) be aware of or that is to be shared.  So here is what I say today - I am praying for all of you, whether you think you need the prayers or not, whether you believe in prayer or not, I believe in the power of prayer on my end. 

I am not praying for your happiness as I don't presume to know what you happiness is to you.  I am praying that you are at peace with where life is today because we cannot always change what is happening, we usually don't have control on that, but we can find peace going through good and bad times.  Peace might mean laughter and joy, peace might mean sorry and tears - peace can only be defined by you, you are the only one living your life.  Live in the moment, know there is someone thinking of you, and embrace the peace and know, you are not alone.

Me and my Llama

So I work with an amazing company as a part of my new role and I kid you not, they have a llama mascot. This Llama emails us new ideas, course, features, you know, helpful work stuff.  Why does this matter?  Well, because I used to sing 'Me and my llama, going to the dentist today' from Sesame Street (oh yes, I included it for your viewing enjoyment) and I like llamas. 

Enjoy adult types - and don't forget to take your llamas to the dentist, they have teeth too.

It just occurred to me, this company I work with is a learning platform (a very general description) and I learned a lot from Sesame Street - coincidence?  I am sure not!  Oh, and here's to Big Bird & Oscar the Grouch...live on fun friends!

I did it my way...and ran for the roses as fast as I could

Today marks another end in my amazing journey because today is the last day of my employment with HPE.  Some records say I started in 1997, some 1999, others 2005 (not 2015 which I mistakenly typed in my email), and others 2013.  Regardless of what the dates say, I have been an EDS/HP/HPE for most of my professional career.

It's a happy day for me as I go out on my own terms, holding my head high.  It's also a sad day for me as I have been through a lot with this company and have a brief moment pause when quitting.  Either way - it is a day I celebrate as this career brought me knowledge, fun times, growth opportunities and friends.

My soundtrack today has ranged from It's All for the Best (Godspell) to I Did It My Way (Frank).  As with everything else in my life, I will always Run for the Roses (Dan F).

24 hours to remember, celebrate and maybe cry a little, then back on that horse and onto the next!

:)

_________

From: Reilly, Erin
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2018 1:10 PM
To: erindreilly@gmail.com
Subject: Until we meet again - may the road rise to meet you!

It is hard to believe that today is my last day with HPE! 

As a co-op with EDS, then a full time employee (a couple times as was the trend back then) with EDS, HP and HPE, I never imagined the ups and downs this career would bring.  From events at Disney with executives dressed as pirates recognizing our best and brightest Fellows and DSEs to 20 hour days of little sleep loading content, and everything in between, it has been a journey I will remember fondly.  I got the chance to help build amazing communities of some of the smartest and most innovative people the industry will ever see.  I authored speeches, blogs, and book segments used on a global stage.  I had the chance to work on megadeals behind the scenes creating microsites and learning more about our company than I thought was possible.  Of course, years later, when I got the chance to create a content management system for our sales teams, I realized once again how there is always more to learn and our business – like everything else in life – is always changing.  More importantly than all the wonderful things I have learned, I have met co-workers that are now life long friends.

Cleaning out my drawer, I found my badge from my second first day with EDS dated June 1, 2005.  This paper badge reads ‘Escort Required’, on Monday, my journey starts all over again.

In short, thank you for sharing in this journey with me, it has been a privilege and an honor.

Erin

Erin D. Reilly

www.linkedin.com/in/erin-denise-reilly

erindreilly@gmail.com

Friday, July 6, 2018 is my last day with HPE. 

Please contact Chris Duggan or Riley To with all Seismic related questions.

An airport with a view - just like life

I am sitting in an airport in Chicago for another whirlwind trip. The difference this time is that it has a purpose other than the adventure.  This trip is for driving the Kid back from his sophomore year.

A few weeks ago the Man and I drove down to see the Tall One rock the Aggie Pitch competition, his girlfriend rock both the pitch competition and her ring dunk and learned how to play 42 at The Chicken.  It was an amazing weekend full of tears (shut up, I cry), laughter and family time. I am always proud of the kids - this blew me out of the water.  I only wish I had had the charisma and skill he does at his age - mark my words, there is nothing he won't achieve when he puts his mind to it.

How does this relate to today? People watching and flying of course. As I sit in O'Hare waiting for the Kid, I am watching people.  Everyone on their own path, their own journey. I see happy, sad, excited and beat down.  Two weeks ago, I watched 10 groups of kids present on their next big thing and heard about the Kid and his upcoming season. For each there are not literal crowds and flashing lights like there are tonight, but I see them all in my mind's eye. I just watched a tiny dog walk buy, collar rattling and huge smile which I bet is exactly what my face looked like when I watched the Tall One on stage and how I feel waiting to see the Kid.  The lost flyer, something I also shared on the large A&M campus and when I can't help my grown boys through challenges.  The planes waiting to fly, just like both my kids are on their next adventure - figuratively and literally - and how the Man and I are everyday in work and life.

Take off and landing - ups and downs, it is all apart of the journey and while our little family experiences in different states, we are always together meeting in the crazy terminal of our family.

Sometimes, the journey is worth the 15 minutes

Kids grow up, it is what we want to happen. We want them to grow up, follow their dreams and take over the world.

We have driven to one university to switch our cars and a 15 minute car ride to see our eldest.  We have gone to other states just to maybe see them for 5 minutes at dinner or in between games.  This weekend, we are once again in a different state just to see one of the kids from afar.  I know he is less than a mile away, yet I also know that we will only see him from afar as he does what he does.

See, the point is it doesn't  matter. What matters is that we have a village here with us.  And they have theirs.  We are sharing in a new adventure, while the kids are experiencing theirs. Sometimes, the adventures take place in the same city, how lucky is that, and sometimes,  you get 15 minutes just to say hi.  Sometimes,  they are in different states or countries.  Either way, it's about having the adventure and supporting them in theirs.

It's the journey, not the destination. Sometimes the journey is all about the 15 minutes.