Deirdre Simmons
Bio
Deirdre is an encouraging, motivating coach, speaker, commercial talent, HR leader & business professional. Her stories are wedding planning to letters to her mother-Alma Jean Cash about life, living & getting you where you need to be.
Stories (7)
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Return to the Place
As she felt the autumn breeze on her face, the memories came flooding back. There was the amazing sweet molasses smell of the hay and the sound that was no sound at all, just a peace that permeated her entire being. Audre, whose name means noble strength, has returned to the place of her parent’s youth. Her way of being and place in this world has shown that she more than lives up to her name.
By Deirdre Simmons5 years ago in Fiction
Perfect Paring
Dear Jean, Timothy Broome. It is weird how the mind works and what we think about at the most odd times. Do you remember him? I thought I called and told you. While in school, my nature was to be focused and to do well. This didn’t leave a lot of time for dates. Besides, Purdue was a long way from home and failure was not an option. I did always enjoy extra-curricular activities and college was no different. As a member of the Black Business Student Association, we held regular meetings in the Krannert School of Business. I remember that night, that particular meeting, like it was yesterday. I wore a straight deep purple skirt with a ruffle around the bottom, it hit my legs at my knees and the top was a crew collar with gold buttons down the front and long sleeved. You do always ask me “were you cute”? Yes. Well, yes. Yes, I was. I had lost the college weight, still a little fluffy but, just the right amount to fill out this skirt and catch the attention of the new guy. My heels said I am young and sexy and smart-they were a 3-inch platform. The new guy was Timothy Broome and I had not seen him; I did hear some of the other girls mention his name. I was busy, minding my business (literally, it was the business club, remember) and then, I saw him.
By Deirdre Simmons5 years ago in Humans
Vanity Reflections
Dear Jean, Jerry and I have large comfortable chairs for our newly renovated basement, a picture of an abstract dancer, beautiful glass and silver serving plates & bowls and all sorts of other condiment and entertaining pieces- all great finds from thrift stores. Yes, your son-in-love, my husband, and I have been going in and out of thrift stores looking to find treasure. It is such a habit now that even when we travel we look up the local second-hand shops, thrift stores, and consignment shops. I am not sure he fully understands my connection to the thrift and why it, for me, is like having a piece of you still with me.
By Deirdre Simmons5 years ago in Families
Beautiful. Loved. Blessed.
Dear Jean, There are people all over the world writing about their Zen playlists. As I develop mine, I see that I am different. Zen is not the same to me as it is to others. I understand at its core definition it is meditation and being at peace. However, peace is not peace when the mind and the body are in turmoil. To be in a place that is balanced and free of angst takes different types of music for different types of minds, and situations.
By Deirdre Simmons5 years ago in Beat
Sax Intercessor
Dear Jean, The morning sun glows a beautiful orange and yellow as it rises over the mountains -the wind is still. It is hope and new mercies rising. The peace of the early morning begins to knock at my spirit. I am grateful for the care of a wonderful husband; a man kissed by the sun and whose presence fills a room. Yet. Yet, still. Yet, still there is anxiety and stress. My mind raced all night and it felt ethereal as I watched myself try to sleep; the ledger recounted all the unfinished tasks and all that needs to get done. The looming anxieties filled me during the time where I should have be restoring my temple. It was not a peaceful occurrence, it was tossing and turning and conversations with self in the midst of threshold consciousness. I hear you saying anxiety and faith cannot reside in the same space. Your wisdom from life lessons are appreciated: I am grateful for your teaching and your guidance.
By Deirdre Simmons5 years ago in Beat
Let It Go
Dear Jean, I was riding in the car with your son, my husband and happened to look behind the seat and see two of the bags that I had given him on two separate mornings. You know I heat up breakfast for him and give him a bag with a muffin or fruit, and or some sort of snack. You told me to make sure my husband doesn’t go hungry; I also make sure he has something either during the day or on his way home. What are these two bags? I give him a face and ask, “what is this?” He just looks at me.
By Deirdre Simmons5 years ago in Families
Do Better
The day was clear and surprisingly quiet. As my mind drifted, it felt like everything was in slow motion. The single bird in the bluest of blue skies drifting off past my sight line, a glimpse of the highway in the distance and flowers. I am looking through the car window taking in a day that I have never seen before and will never see again. It is a day that changed my life forever.
By Deirdre Simmons5 years ago in Families
