Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/621606
8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • January 2016 letter to the readers PUBLISHER Leigh Anne Van Doren Tabitha & Jamie Nelle's mom EDITOR-AT-LARGE Chris Jones Jordan, Quincy, Hayden & Olive's dad OPERATIONS Stephanie Maldonado; Julia, Tyler & Aiden's mom BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING Heidi DiEugenio, President, HD Solutions Duke & Dane's mom ADVERTISING & SALES Sheila Giscard; Jack's mom DESIGN & PRODUCTION Cheryl Carter, President, Carter Creations Alex, Kate & Jackie's mom WEBMASTER Karen Charney Joshua & Spencer's mom SOCIAL MEDIA Brenda Sapanghila: Archer & Maddox's mom CALENDAR Leigha Pecher Jake & Luke's mom COMMUNITY BLOGS Mary Becelia Katherine Laura & Robert Joseph's mom FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Pamela Quinones: Corinn, Michael, Isabella & Dalton parent fredericksburg & family Entrepreneur of the Year PROUD FOUNDING MEMBER ADVERTISING PHONE 540/374-1495 E-MAIL adsales@fredericksburgparent.net CALENDAR & SOCIAL MEDIA E-MAIL socialmedia@fredericksburgparent.net EDITORIAL PHONE 540/374-1495 E-MAIL editor@fredericksburgparent.net SNAIL MAIL P.O. Box 7884, Fred'bg, VA 22404 www.fredericksburgparent.net The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertisement, editorial or listing that does not meet the publication's standards. No part of this magazine may be reproduced with out permission. Listing and advertising rates are available upon request. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information con- tained herein, however, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Listings and advertisements are subject to typographical errors, ommissions and/or change without notice. For terms and conditions please visit our website at www.fredericksburgparent.net © Copyright 2016 Nurture, Inc. All rights reserved. WRITTEN BY CHRIS JONES, EDITOR-AT-LARGE LIKE facebook.com/ FredericksburgParent SIGN UP www.FredParent.net TWEET facebook.com/ FredericksburgParent PIN www.pinterest.com/ fredparent FOLLOW @fredparentmagazine Happy New Year, Fredericksburg. It's hard to believe that it's January and even more difficult to believe that it's 2016. I remember 2000 like it was yes- terday. All of the hopes, dreams and mystery of a new millennium and a new century made dreamers of us all. I remember resolving that I would still be living in Pittsburgh at this time in my life working for one of the large national advertising agencies headquartered in the city. I was back in Virginia within eight months for family reasons. Funny how that happens, huh? We never know where life will take us and when it will shake up our com- fort. When I moved back to Virginia, I felt like I would never reach those dreams I had earlier that year. How could I? I wasn't even in the right city anymore. I eventually hit a low point a few years later and dealt with many lean years. It took me four years to realize what was happening and another six years to have the courage to accept it and act on it. I learned working in advertising wasn't my real dream — it was having a family and pursuing writing. I wouldn't have learned this without the interruptions I've faced since 2000. My interruptions included leaving the city I loved, losing what I considered at the time a dream job, divorce after five years of marriage, the death of my grandmother, the birth of a child and a house fire. Each of those interruptions had a lesson attached to them that pointed to those desires. Without those incidents, I wouldn't be where I am doing the things I love with the people that matter most to me. Interruptions are the check engine lights of life. If we listen to them (and not get frustrated or discouraged by them), we may find them more useful in becoming better people, finding our genuine passions and creating real and lasting change in our lives. Do you have a present interruption? If so, look for the lesson. I promise you that there is one. Your future self will thank you for it. Pattern interruption