What happened in Vegas?

Las Vegas is on my #bucketlisttravel hit list after the pandemic is behind us.

I have many fond memories both personally and professionally having been there numerous times. The last time I was there was on professional duty before I retired, and boy it sure was memorable. But probably not the way you're thinking. No, I didn't win a jackpot. (does anybody win in Vegas?) 🤐

Anyways, it was one of the most emotional experiences of my life.

You've heard the saying: "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", but in my case, "what happened in Vegas, will haunt me the rest of my life". I was one of the lucky ones.

I will never forget the date of October 1, 2017. A lone gunman opened fire on the crowd attending the Route 91 Harvest music festival. I was in the hotel right next to the Mandalay Bay where the gunman was. I could see the Mandalay Bay from my window. It was my plan to go to the Mandalay Bay that evening as there was a shop there I wanted to check out. After an enjoyable evening with clients I went to my room to change from high heels to comfy walking shoes. Then, for some reason (I still get goosebumps thinking about it) decided 'nah' I would go in the morning, I was too tired. So I swapped my business attire for jammies, and went to bed.

Was it fate? Or did I really have some luck in Vegas?

It has all freshly come back to me over the past few weeks as I've been talking with friends who enjoy Vegas as much as me. It got me thinking about how Ceridian (the company I worked for) leadership handled the situation, and showed me how much they cared about their employees and customers. Caring and helping are qualities I was proud to represent in my 20 year career there. They still are very much the keys to my being as I pursue my passions here in my next chapter of Deb Lawson (as I call it!)

I didn't know it then, but realize now that THAT experience, combined with some other stuff I was dealing with at the time, really was the force behind the changes I've made.

I'm grateful I could.

Sadly, there are some things that never change. Some people suffer from tragedy they didn't deserve. Some don't, can't, won't be as lucky or fortunate to have a voice or a choice. Others, live with experiences that haunt them for the rest of their live, and cope day by day.

You see, I can't stop thinking of the #215children 💔 found buried beneath what used to be a residential school in Kamloops, BC. The impact to the families, and that community; the indigenous community. I think about the many leaders of organizations impacted by the tragedy, and how, I hope they are supporting their employees and their families, and their customers with the same passion and care as I experienced in Vegas back in 2017.

Because I know most certainly, someone has a direct or indirect tie to that indigenous community, and they need support.

So, again, I write this blog and am intentionally linking you to our leaders2inspire blog where I frequently contribute content. I felt compelled this week to write about how important it is for leaders to be prepared to help their employees, teams, and families in times of crisis. I also share my first-hand account of what happened during the Las Vegas shooting.

Who knew that Vegas would have such a big impact on the trajectory of my life?

I truly am lucky 🍀 after all.🙏

Click here to read the full leaders2inspire blog.

Fondly & "inDEBted" ....