Toasting our muses

My father recently retired after a prolific career in a highly successful not-for-profit organization. As I write this, I have a wine glass in my hand, toasting my father’s accomplishments and thinking back to how much he and my grandfather have inspired me. My daughter, Derby, is named in honor of both of them.

Harry Leigh Derby

“Harry” Leigh Derby – my great, great grandfather – lived the American dream. He grew up very poor, but with good values. When the time came, he left home and started a career in chemical sales.  Eventually, he led various chemical companies and became founder and chairman of many, many more. Throughout his career, he served as a Trustee or Chairman on a number of community and corporate boards, opened plants in South America, negotiated labor union disputes, and even served the Roosevelt administration during WWII. His biography reads as a who’s who in American History. Friends with President Hoover and the Rockefeller family, Harry even attended a private party hosted by the Rockefellers on the Hindenburg prior to its fateful voyage.

I was young when my grandfather passed. My memory of him is faint. In fact, I have a greater recollection of his expansive Montclair, NJ, home and of my wonderment at having a chauffeur and an elevator in your home.  

All that said, Harry’s been on my mind lately. I’ve had a chance to reflect on his achievements and success over his long life. In fact, I googled him the other night and found a book he wrote on transportation. He wrote the book in 1916 while he was in college, and it is still available on Amazon today.

Harry Leigh Derby IV

My father, Harry “Leigh” Derby IV, inherited his business acumen from his great grandfather. Dad is also an inspiration to me because he focused his career in the not-for-profit world. Thirty-eight years ago, he established a school in the basement of a church for a handful of individuals with development disabilities. He provided one of the first alternatives to institutionalization of individuals with developmental disabilities (then called mental retardation).

Over the past 38 years , Lifespan has grown into an agency supporting thousands of clients across North Carolina with employment, education and enrichment opportunities. In short, Lifespan works to enhance the abilities of individuals with development disabilities from infants to adults. Dad and Lifespan have integrated preschools with normal and special needs students, created employment programs, and developed creative schools offering cooking, horticultural, drama and computer instruction – just to name a few. Lifespan has also consulted with many other organizations and its curricula and programs  have been adopted by both nationally and globally.

In honor of Dad’s retirement, Lifespan named one of their flagship schools after him. I am so inspired standing before The Leigh Derby School and reading the plaque that adorns his name.  

Sources of inspiration are vital to all of us. Find a spark in your career, your friends, or your very own family tree.Share your story. Leave a comment and tell us who inspires you…

Tiffany is a  North Carolina native, wife, mother of 2 wild and crazy kids, and an entrepreneur. She loves her family, a delicious glass of red wine, girl time and the occasional spa treatment. As an enthusiastic member of Wednesday Night Whine, she rarely misses a “meeting” unless she’s traveling for business. She is the President and CEO of Intellect Resources a recruiting and consulting firm specializing in the healthcare IT industry. 

"The Way" of Inspired Wining

My husband and I watched a movie a few weeks ago that just won’t seem to let go of me. It’s a film called “The Way” starring Martin Sheen and written and directed by his son, Emilio Estevez. “The Way” tells the inspirational story of a man’s trek along the Camino de Santiago (also known as The Way of St. James), a collection of centuries-old pilgrimage routes across Europe.

Tom (played by Sheen) did not set out to make the pilgrimage. In fact, when his son (played by Estevez, of course) asks him to come along, he considers the weeks-long trek impractical at best.  

“Most people don’t have the luxury of just leaving it all behind,” Tom says.

But then he finds that he must go. When Daniel succumbs to a fatal accident in the Pyrenees, Tom’s mission quickly becomes to honor his son's desire to finish the journey. He carries Daniel with him, sprinkling his ashes over landmarks along the 800-kilometer route.  

I have to thank fellow winer Tiffany Crenshaw for making the recommendation during our Girls Weekend/Movie Marathon in February. (Although little did she know that Estevez is a man after the Inspired Winers’ hearts – a winemaker under the label Casa Dumetz.) Tiffany saw something special in the preview. Something she knew our group would appreciate because of the bonds we share – as parents, as women who value inspiration, and as friends on our own journey, a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

“The Way” has gorgeous cinematography, a beautifully composed soundtrack, and a satisfying blend of heart wrenching and amusing moments captured through the interactions of Tom and the unlikely friends he meets. (Not to mention, lots of wine drinking!) As you can imagine, a movie like this offers plenty of connections to our own lives. The metaphors abound.

This trip that once seemed absurd to Tom ultimately becomes profoundly meaningful. Can’t we all relate to resisting a journey we know we have to take? And aren’t we often pleasantly surprised by the rich experience, the camaraderie, the support we find when we open ourselves up to the journey?

I think about the trek my fellow Inspired Winer, Allison, is on right now in honor of her own son. She’s going the distance for Matthew. Fighting for his quality of life and trying to imagine what the road is like for him. Doing everything she can to lengthen the time he has to be mobile, active and healthy, as every young man should be. I also think about my walk with her. Sometimes I feel I am doing so little, that my efforts are mere footsteps compared to what lies ahead. But then I remember the value of simply “being there” to help my friend navigate, to scale the mountains and shoulder the weight when she needs a break.

That’s what Wednesday Night Wine is for. It’s a time out for tired moms and friends who might otherwise let too much time go by without seeing one another. And on a larger level, that’s what Inspired Wining is for. Helping other women navigate the challenges and opportunities of fundraising for the causes that mean the most to them. Perpetuating our own cause as Wednesday Night Winers – the fight against DMD to make the way easier for boys like Matthew.

At the end of "The Way," Tom discovers the difference between "the life we live and the life we choose.” The movie is a beautiful and touching reminder that even when we are handed challenges, like learning a child is afflicted with a very troubling disease, we can still choose our lives by the way we live them. We choose to create something positive out of the bad news. We choose to celebrate the good news. We choose our friends. We choose to have faith.

And we choose to believe in our own human ability to make the world better. 

Ten things I love about "wining"

My name is Alexis and I am new to blogging.

Sounds like an introduction to a 12-step program, but seriously, I readily admit that for weeks I have been struggling with (maybe even agonizing over) what in the world I would write. I’ve been home with 3 children for the last 10 years; I don't consider writing one of my strengths. I am much more confident with play dates, school functions, after school activities, church stuff and carpooling.

So here's the deal:  I’m going to share what I know and love about this great group of women, the Inspired Winers, who meet once a month for Wednesday Night Wine. I treasure their love and friendship, and they are constantly teaching me new things.

Below is a list of my 10 most favorite things about Wednesday Night Wine and Inspired Wining. If you have a similar group of women, you might recognize a few of these. And if you’re considering starting your own Inspired Wining group, here’s a taste of what you can gain from gathering together a group of women dedicated to each other and a mutual cause:

Michelle caught mid-laughter. 

1. We laugh a lot! Many times, until we cry. There’s nothing like a group of women who won't let you take yourself too seriously. And don’t we all need to laugh more? 
2.  We are a multi-purpose group. On any given night, we are a book club, a recipe exchange, a job fair, a board meeting, a support group and a comedy zone.
3. We like wine and the fact that it encourages us to slow down and spend time with one another. A couple times a month, we all fly in from committee meetings or putting our children to bed. But then, we take a collective breath and leave the stress and busy schedules behind for a few hours.
4.  We are all on the Parenthood Journey together. From babies to ‘tweens – we’re covering it all. I am so grateful to be with a group of women who understands that most of the time, I can't get enough of my children. But at the same time, there are days I delight at the thought of their wearing an electric collar – and I have the remote.
5. As a non-foodie, it is fabulous to hang out with ladies who like to eat well. Our gatherings are never without an amazing appetizer, a healthy fruit tray or a decadent dessert. And now, I read labels, spend less time in the frozen food section, and I’ve actually tried to embrace meal planning. Seriously, thanks to this group, I actually give thought to the color and texture of my meal.
6.  Because of our commitment to raise money for PPMD, I have challenged myself to do new and different things. I have taken risks. I’ve developed new skills. I am writing for a blog and have joined Facebook and Twitter, for Pete's sake! Who knew that fundraising could be so much fun or enriching?
7. For the most part, our gang is a part of the sandwich generation; we’re caring for loved ones on both sides of the spectrum. We all have little ones we are caring for and if we don't yet, we will most likely have parents that will need our assistance. There is tremendous value in knowing that we won't go through this alone.
8. When it comes to travel and recreation, we’ve got some adventurers among us. I love that we all like to travel and see other places. And the best part is learning where to stay, where to dine, how to save money…and even how to avoid bed bugs.
9.  We are all concerned about our physical, spiritual and mental health. We are advocates for trying new things and seeking help when needed in the form of acupuncture, aromatherapy, bible studies, counseling, massage, meditation, pilates, prayer, reflective retreats, tapping, and yoga.
10. These ladies make things happen. They are doers! Their never-ending supply of energy to care about their families, friends, work, kids' schools, favorite charities, and the church that brought us together is inspirational.

Think about creating your own Inspired Wining group – one that not only gives to you, but to the world around you. And while you're at it, we'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment about your friendships. Who makes you laugh? Who shares travel tips, parenting advice and recipes? Who celebrates your ups and shoulders your down? Share some fun stories with us. 

Alexis Williams may not be a good housekeeper and she’s even worse at being the tooth fairy. But she loves laughing, traveling, spending time with family and being a part of a community that makes a difference. Alexis is officially Inspired Wining's “go-to girl” for just about everything from developing community partnerships to securing our venues for Inspired Wining on Location events. A wife, mother of 3, a church and school volunteer, Alexis is the sharp-witted sweetheart of the group.