Carl Pritchard, PMP®, PMI-RMP®
You never know that tomorrow might be the best day of your entire life. That quote is from my mother, MaryBeth Hoon Pritchard. She was (God rest her soul) the most profound influence on my life, particularly in my youth. And that quote is perhaps the most influential thing that she said to me, over and over and over again. It’s influential because it’s true. As a moody young person, I often found myself driving my own moodiness. And yet, on those ho-hum, average days, I wasn’t taking Mom’s insight to heart.
September 5, 1982 – I was working at a very small radio station in Frostburg, Maryland, wondering if I’d ever find a way to make ends meet.
Another workday in 1987 at WASH-FM in DC, wondering how we were going to feed the new baby.
A day in 2020, frustrated with the implications of Covid on my small consulting practice.
A day in 2020, depressed over my Stage 4 cancer diagnosis and the painful treatments that didn’t seem to be doing anything.
What do these days have in common? They were unremarkable. They represented the ennui of life plodding forward, with no bright sunshine on the horizon. To a one, they also represent the day before some of the best days of my entire life.
September 6, 1982? I met my lovely wife Nancy for the first time (Labor Day church picnic). The 1987 date? The next day I got a side hustle writing video scripts that eventually led to an entirely new career and lifestyle. The Covid onslaught? It led us to find and buy our new house in the mountains, where we are now happily-ever-aftering. And one of the days after my cancer diagnosis, I found a pair of new oncologists who have put me on a path to live another 10-15 years.
Those are some remarkable events in my life that I could never have predicted the day prior. For each, I now hear my mother’s voice. You never know that tomorrow might be the best day of your entire life.
If you are depressed, saddened, or despondent, I encourage you to cling to her words. Because, well, you never know.
(MaryBeth Pritchard, circa 1954)
Well written and we need your mom’s words of wisdom! Thank you for sharing with us!
Love this. I will pass it on. Your mom sounds very special. She instilled in you the essence of trusting and treasuring the good that lies ahead. Lucky you to have this guiding light. Thank you for sharing. I feel so blessed to have found friendship with you and Nancy (and Barb).
Carl,
As always, anything you write is inspiring and challenging. I so wish I could have known your mom. We are so blessed to have you in the Chaney clan (I am, too!).
Thanks so much for sharing🤣🤣🤣