Martha first arrived in New York in the fall of 1999 to attend the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising.
As the college had neither a campus nor a dormitory, her first room was a ten by sixteen box with one window that she shared with a roommate. Located in the the Marcle Salvation Army Residence on West 13th Street, it was not the scenario of which we had dreamed for our daughter's first day of college. As we left our dear child behind, Roz and I tried to reinforce each other that this was for the best, but in fact, it was all we could do not to rush back and grab her.
There was, however, one feature that I did like about that room. The window afforded a a tiny sliver view of the Empire State Building. Wow, thought I, here she is in her first New York apartment and she already has a view of the Empire State Building! To me, it represented all that was possible for Martha over the following four years at college and beyond in her life. One could do worse that to be inspired by the Empire State Building while brushing your teeth at the beginning of each day.
That moment flashed back to me last Friday morning while standing on the corner of 33rd Street and 8th Avenue. At Martha's urging, I had enrolled in the Landmark Forum, an intense fifty hour grind over three plus days that we hoped would help achieve a positive transformation for my life. This was the school where she had dropped me off. We both knew I needed it. I knew I was ready for it.
As I glanced down down 33rd Street, I saw the Empire State Building, vividly showcased against a blinding blue October sky. It took me back to the Marcal Residence in an instant.
There had been such changes in less than ten years.
Martha had graduated, successfully worked through several industry jobs, and was now commuting back in forth to London. She is helping to establish a New York presence for the British brand Top Shop (www.topshop.com) As she is involved with recruiting, I must also direct you to the following link if you or anyone you know is interested in a terrific NYC (Soho) retail opportunity starting in the spring 2009. (http://arcadia.peoplebank.com/pbank/owa/arcadia.TopshopTopManSearchUS)
So I'm her father...O.K.?
Martha has the kind of job of which I always dreamed. She also has the self confidence and drive to make certain that I don't just sit back and live her dream. She is determined to have me become fully self expressed in all that I think and do.
My personal development is now her missions as hers was once mine.
Hence, the introduction to Landmark.
The recent immersion is now coursing through me and bringing illumination to areas of my being that have been dark for years - if not forever.
Thanks, Martha.
And thank you for visiting.
Jack
