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meet, "tmedlin" | the golo profile

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If you’ve ever spent time chatting with GOLO member, "TMedlin," you are probably well aware of the fact that her son is serving in Iraq. I had the opportunity to speak with her before going on vacation, and she had these three words to say about her son: “He’s my hero.” I hung up with the feeling that she may be his hero as well.

Meet, TMedlin…

Angela: Your Mother’s Day blog about the call you received from your son was pretty profound. Tell me about that call.

TMedlin: There was so little detail. The phone rang and I looked at the display. I grabbed it but there was an awful lot of static. And just through the static I was able to hear him say “Happy Mother’s Day, and then the connection was gone.

Angela: Did you cry?

TMedlin: Yes. But I really kept thinking he might be able to get back through to me. But it’s such a busy day. He told me later he couldn’t get a line through.

Angela: How is he?  

TMedlin: He’s doing good….. (Pause) He’s doing good.

Angela:There must be an overwhelming fear factor, being a military mom. What does that feel like?

TMedlin:Most of the military moms I know just try to stay real busy. There are many things that need to be done to help other mothers. You stay so involved that it helps you not focus on the danger. But when there’s bad news it’s really tense because you never know.

Angela: What has being a military mom taught you about yourself?

TMedlin: Well, you know…I know I’ve got a lot of work to do and there are a lot of different organizations out there that need recognition and exposure. Part of your job is to increase awareness. I’m in the Blue Star Mothers and that is part of our charter. We care for the mothers who gave their sons for the service of the nation. The big part of our group is to provide service for the Gold star mothers.

Angela: Why don’t we hear about the Blue Star Mothers?

TMedlin:I don’t know. We’ve been out there for years. We’ll be going to DC for five days during Memorial Day week. 

Editor’s Note: This interview took place BEFORE, Memorial Day. Read TMedlin’s blog about the trip, here.

Angela: You should blog about that group one day.

TMedlin: I really should. 

Angela: So, what do you do for fun?

TMedlin: I garden actually and I’m having a blast. My husband decided that we were going to try an upside down gardening technique. So he hung these planter things with tomatoes growing from the bottom of the pit.

Angela: How’s that working out?

TMedlin: It seems to be working out fine. I’ve got some little tomatoes. That’s been an exciting thing for me. To see how this crazy idea pans out.

Angela: Who do you like to actively engage in debate with on GOLO?

TMedlin: I have a lot of respect for oldschool. He’s one of my favorites. Jackadoo…and he’s been kind of quiet lately or maybe he’s been fighting on one of those other blogs.

Tarheel Army Mom…oh and Tidbit. I really enjoy her blogs. And Strolling Bones, she’s quite the character.

Angela: What would you do with 30 million dollars?

TMedlin: What I would do? Well, I would pay off everybody I could and send a letter telling the rest they’ve just got to wait.

(We laugh)  

Angela: What’s the most important lesson your parents taught you?

TMedlin: To do what you like to do because you’re going to be doing it for a long time.

Angela: And have you taken that advice?

TMedlin: Yes. I had a brief detour, but I would say I’m doing the things I like now.

Angela: Conversely, what is the most important lesson you’ve taught your children?

TMedlin: I taught the same thing. That they needed to follow their hearts and not decide based on pressure from family, but to find their own way.

Angela: How can that concept of following your heart and having your own vision coexist comfortably with strong parental guidance? 

TMedlin: I learned many years ago that balance is extremely important….that you can focus on one thing too much and burnout. People get so caught up doing what other forces push them to do that they don’t think about “How do I want to live my life.” Most people don’t project forward.

Angela: So let’s project. Where do you see yourself in ten years?

TMedlin: I’m on a 10 year plan right now where I have decided that I want to be retired in 10 years and I am going to retire 10 percent each year along the way.

 Angela: (Laughs…) That’s interesting! So you’ll contribute ten percent less every year until you’re giving nothing at all?

TMedlin: Yes, that way I ease into it and it’s not a shock. But I have known some people in my life who I thought were on that plan and I think: “Come on, move your butt, let’s get going.”

 Angela: You think you’ll really pull it off? Easing into retirement?

TMedlin: Yep. Our next president should write that into law. But  I bet I’ll end up with 15 grandkids so I’m not really retiring at all.

Angela: If you were to die tomorrow what could you say today about the way you’ve lived to date?

TMedlin: I’d be able to say I ate the cheesecake and the Chunky Monkey ice cream and I did not live a deprived life.

Angela: Is GOLO part of your retirement plan?

TMedlin: Probably so. I’m always trying to get the last word in, just ask my critics.

Angela: Thank you for the early morning laughs.

TMedlin: You’re welcome.