Widen the Aperture
April 24, 2018
Whew, it’s been another exciting, refreshing, energizing, fun, and yes, exhausting week!
I had the opportunity to spend several days in San Antonio for the 36th annual Lifesavers National Conference on Highway safety Priorities, which is the largest gathering of highway safety professionals in the U.S. The conference provides opportunities to learn about the latest, cutting-edge evidence and innovation, and share information with other traffic safety professionals. As a member of the Lifesavers Planning Committee (LPC), I get to interact on a monthly basis with the other remarkable and dedicated members of the LPC and the amazing team at Meetings Management, Inc. And each year, I get to spend a few days with these people and several thousand others discovering the city that is hosting the conference.
This year’s conference was even more special because it was held in my adopted home state, in the beautiful city of San Antonio. It was so fun to be able to host my colleagues from across the country in Texas with my Texas friends. And, I even had the opportunity to emcee the opening plenary!
Texans like to say that we “do things BIG in Texas,” and the 2018 Lifesavers Conference was no exception. We offered the most workshops ever, and set a new attendance record to boot! And, the conference coincided with the opening of Fiesta San Antonio, which is the city’s premiere event. Dubbed the “Party with a Purpose,” Fiesta began in 1890 with the Battle of Flowers Parade, which has been the only parade to be planned and directed completely by women. Fiesta has had an economic impact of more than $340 million for San Antonio. All funds raised by official Fiesta events provide services to San Antonio citizens throughout the year. It is a celebration of San Antonio’s rich and diverse cultures. Viva Fiesta!
My trip to San Antonio actually started with my 6:15 a.m. flight being delayed for four hours. When you arrive sleep-deprived at the airport at 5:00 a.m., learning you have a four-hour delay has a tendency to cause some “up-regulation” as my leadership training has taught me. I took a few deep breaths. Fortunately, a kind Southwest ticket agent was able to book me on the 7:30 a.m. flight.
When I arrived in San Antonio, I rented a car and drove out to Enchanted Rock, a massive pink granite dome that rises above Central Texas. Hiking the summit of Enchanted Rock has been on my “Texas bucket list.”
As I drove along the winding Hill Country roads that day, I was reminded of two Texas women, both of whom were former First Ladies who left an enduring impression on this country. Bluebonnets and other wild flowers peppered the sides of the roads, a lasting legacy of Lady Bird Johnson. Flags were flying at half-staff out of respect for the passing of Barbara Bush, who has been called “America’s grandmother.”
Hiking to the peak of Enchanted Rock may have been easier 10 years ago when I first moved to Texas, but standing atop the summit of the mystical dome and observing the 360 views of the Texas Hill Country, was well worth it!
The day was overcast, so I needed to widen (or open) the aperture on my camera. For my non-photography friends, the aperture is the opening of the camera’s lens. Widening the aperture allows the camera to let in more light.
As I reflect on the past few days – my hike to Enchanted Rock and the Lifesavers Conference in beautiful, diverse San Antonio – I’m reminded that when I “widen the aperture” – embrace new experiences and people, it brings a richness to my life.
The closing speaker at the Lifesavers Conference, Brigadier General (Ret.) Joe Ramirez, Jr., told several moving and inspiring stories of leadership. In closing, he showed a photo of a grave marker. Like most markers, the gravestone included the individual’s date of birth and death. Between the two dates was a dash. As he concluded his remarks, Brigadier General Ramirez asked, “How are you going to live your dash – the time between birth and death?”
I’m attempting to live my dash trying to make Dallas and the U.S. safer, and by bringing more light into my sphere of influence. I'm so grateful to my family, friends, and colleagues who are helping me on this journey!
