By Jeff Tarbet
I visited with my mom this morning. As usual one can’t help but gain something from her even when she’s in recovery mode so I thought I should pass it along.
Do you remember the last time you found yourself in the middle of a fight? Not as a referee mind you, but as one in a frantic state of blocking, jabbing and punching; waiting for the opportunity to land the blow that will finally drop your opponent to the canvas. I’ve had my share of these bouts in my life; many a time wondering if I would be the hapless fellow to hit the mat…face first!
Now, I’ve never really been in an authentic boxing match nor will I since Robby Kelly took me out in under two minutes when our physical education teacher had all the kids try out boxing in fourth grade gym class. I still contend that Robbie sucker punched me when I was distracted by Tracy Campbell, my fourth grade girlfriend wanna-be. She was unimpressed so I decided not to push for a Marquess of Queensberry ruling thus ending my hopeful career in the ring. Or so I thought.
Since then, I’ve been in daily training. Blocking, jabbing and punching. This was not what I had intended growing up but when you lived with “Cinderella Woman” you do the reps every day simply because you couldn’t look at yourself in the mirror if your mom could take it on the chin better than you! You learn a lot from the champ. You learn that the only place you’ll find life fair is in the dictionary. You learn that you are not the only one in the ring and that in this match you can tag team and give someone a helping hand. Watching her get up, get dressed and get to work on days that she should have stayed in bed eliminated any chance of my missing school due to a little runny nose or scraped knee. Forget about it. That taught me that the opponent to overcome was really myself.
Today, I’m still blocking, jabbing and punching but I’ve learned something else from my mom. I’ve learned to move. Move and move and move. If you’re only blocking, punching and jabbing you’re gonna get K.O.’d if you just stand there. Sure we can learn all the tips, tricks and skills that we need to succeed in life but if you don’t put feet on them you’re just a sitting duck and life is going pull a “rope-a-dope” on you. I learned that from her. That will never happen to her because that woman’s got inertia like no other person I know.
Constantly moving has been one of the hardest lessons for me to learn. Move-Jab-Move-Block-Move-Punch-Move! What a difference! Sure, you’ll catch a few blows now and again. A sick family member. A job loss for your spouse. A financial crisis. The death of a loved one. We must live through these events but rest assured; if you MOVE it’s less likely the hits will be as devastating than if you were just standing still. Move-Jab-Move-Block-Move-Punch-Move and if you get a chance look around to see if you need to tag with a friend.
That’s what mom taught me and continues to teach me. I believe that I owe it to her to pass on this lesson to others.
Today, I went to visit mom and she wanted me to shoot a video of her for you. So here she is…my mom (blocking, jabbing, punching and moving)!
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17. August 2011 at 8:22 pm
Rena, I love you…..thank you for your kind words….I haven’t lost hope!
17. August 2011 at 8:26 pm
Rena,
I am SO touched, moved, inspired and in awe by you. THANK YOU for that video message! It came just when I needed it today! God bless you! All my love!
Kimberly
17. August 2011 at 8:33 pm
Oh my stars Rena,
You are such an insipration. Thank you for everything you do, thank you for being such an amazing steward of all that God commands for us. You are such a great woman.
17. August 2011 at 8:41 pm
Humbled and Inspired by you Rena…You have blessed me tonight!
Allison
17. August 2011 at 8:48 pm
First of all, Jeff, thank you, thank you, thank you! Thank you for sharing your time, talent and mom with us. You must have been bugged so much from us, the Rena followers, and if I can speak for all of us, it is such a relief to see your beautiful, bright and strong mama!
Dearest Rena. I was so relieved to hear you were improving and then to see and hear you. I just cried. I am so pleased at how well you are looking and sounding! You are just beautiful! And your message! It came when I just had a little pity party for myself earlier in the week. But, thanks to your CDs in my car, I dusted myself off and got back on the horse. To see you DOING this in such a physical way, just makes me ashamed of myself. I know you don’t know me personally, but I do pray for your recovery often and offer my communion up for you too. I have such a love for you. Thank you for all you do for us. You must be THE most selfless woman I have ever seen and I want emmulate you. Thank you again for everything. You are my Mary Kay! Love, Kat
17. August 2011 at 8:50 pm
Dear Ms. Tarbet,
You are such an inspiration!! I pray you strength and thank-you for sharing your perseverance!!!
17. August 2011 at 9:04 pm
Rena You have been such a huge influence to me in my journey in Mary Kay!! I have met you several times and I remember one time in particular when you sent me a letter which I still have framed! THANK YOU For all you are and your ‘tough love’ and faith filled ‘back to basics’ training which you share!! Your tapes helped me through DIQ many years ago and helped me to ‘keep on keeping on’ during the challenges!! Thanks for always showing us what FAITH is all about and for your wisdom and inspirations!! We love and appreciate you so very much!!
Love,
Karen
17. August 2011 at 9:12 pm
God bless you, Rena!!! You can do it!!! You are doing great!
Thanks, Jeff!
17. August 2011 at 9:15 pm
Rena–
I am praising God for how great you look and seem! So good to hear your wisdom yet again. His healing mercies have blessed you again! We ‘Tarbets’ are out there making it happen and working to make you proud each day! Love you so! Amy
17. August 2011 at 9:51 pm
Dear Rena,
You are an amazing woman and Dave and I are praying for you as I know you are praying for Dave. God has truly performed a miracle in making a way for Dave’s healing where we were told there was no way. We are believing that God will finish His miracle as he will be having surgery on Friday at 12:30PM at Medical City where they will be removing part of his pancreas and spleen. The PET scan showed the tumor had shrunk markedly bringing it off the main arteries and that it had decreased in intensity/activity. Dr. Kahn said that means the tumor was dying off..how much he’s not sure but we thank God for leading us every step up to this point. You are an inspiration to all the patients at the Rena Tarbet Cancer Center and we thank God for you and to leading us to Dr. Kahn. We continue to pray for God to restore health and strength to you. God Bless you and your wonderful family…Dave and Linda
17. August 2011 at 10:12 pm
Dear Rena,
How did you know?! Thank you sooo very much for your inspiring message! & Yes it came just at the right time. Amazing you are. Thank you for being such a blessing to us all! You have my prayers. God Bless you,
Love, Joanne
17. August 2011 at 10:14 pm
Rena, I have been asking about you from Kathy and praying for your healing since I heard that you were going through more treatments. I cannot believe how amazing you look after all you have been through! That Mary Kay is some GOOD stuff, huh?!? Of course, it helps when you start out with a beautiful face on the outside and that Spirit that God placed on the inside of you. I think of you so often and remember all the good times we had together with the Davis’s and all of our families. The first memory that comes to mind is at Bryan’s, or maybe Kim’s, wedding and our Ryan (age 5) coming toward me with a glass of champagne in his hand, gagging his little heart out! He had been fascinated by the champagne fountain and got a glass and just helped himself! Ryan and his wife just bought a house in Keller and love it there. Lindsay and her husband live here in Paris and she is starting her 11th year teaching. They are 33 and 30!! Lindsay has 3 beautiful girls and they keep me up and going!! I could go on and on, but just wanted you to know that you are on and in my heart. Such an inspiration to so many! I feel honored and blessed by God to have recieved just a small part of the blessing that is “RENA” Jeff thank you SO much for taking the time to let us share in her courage and wisdom. Hope all of your family is doing well, Rena. Love you so, Dianna
17. August 2011 at 10:38 pm
Dearest Rena,
While my wife and I were at Seminar this past year I could not help but to think of you as I look down into the area where the Ameriti sat. I began to wondering how you were doing until I saw this clip. We missed you and we love you! GOD is with you and his blessings are upon you. Be of good cheer and continue to have the faith that has brought you thus far. I love you and the Mary Kay family misses you. We can’t wait to see you at Seminar soon!!! GOD bless you and your family!
17. August 2011 at 10:39 pm
Rena, Thank you so much for your strength! YOU are making a difference STILL… still!
Love,
Misty
17. August 2011 at 11:36 pm
Dear Rena,
Your selflessness is such an inspiration. I know how much energy it takes to talk when you are not at 100%, and I know that that your words will be appreciated by thousands of people. Rest assured that those of us still in the field are all working to perpetuate the legacy of Mary Kay and people like you who represent the very best that there is in our company. We continue to pray and trust God for victory on your behalf.
Love you – heart soul and gizzard
Jill Beckstedt EESD
17. August 2011 at 11:46 pm
Dear Rena,
Wow! What an Amazing woman you are! Thank you so much for taking your time and strength to do a video for us! You are so beautiful… inside and out! I really needed to hear what you had to say today. I bet there are lots of us who did, and God knew no one could say it better than you! What an example you are of Faithfulness, Hope, Strength, and Love. I am so glad to have had the opportunity to be mentored by you both in your presence and through tapes and now Cd’s the that you sent me! Through Mary Kay, You and Alicia (Lindley-Adkins) my adult faith has grown tremendously! I hope that one day I will be able to share my faith and be an example to others as you have. Continue to “get better Rena Honey” we all look forward to seeing you again! Thank you again for the person that you are, and for all you do for us in Mary Kay and everyone who knows you! I will continue to pray for you daily! My children think you are their Aunt because we have prayed for you their whole life!! LOL!
Love always, Jeana
17. August 2011 at 11:53 pm
Rena…just returned from my weekly sales meeting…31 yrs of weekly sales meetings. Aren’t we blessed to have an arena like that to be in once a week? You look absolutely beautiful, your voice is strong, your outlook is hopeful, and your trust is complete. So what else is new? I love your description of This Disease. I find it so interesting that it was given to you …one that knew the Lord so well and depended on him so completely. One that was so submissive to him that his strength could be so overwhelmingly seen in you! I remember going to Seminar as a Red Jacket 30 some years ago and the “buzz” was that Rena would not be teaching the Red jackets…she was too sick. I remember also seeing you at that very podium with Dale Alexander. I didn’t appreciate at the time just how God was working through you. But I have come to, and am so grateful. My many years in MK have taught me many things…and other than “The lady herself” you have been the greatest teacher here on earth! I hung out a lot with Kim and Lisa last year at Seminar and it was interesting hearing your daughter talk about you. You are just her Mom…no matter who you are to the rest of the world. You have done a fine job Rena. A very fine job!!
18. August 2011 at 6:42 am
Thank you, Rena. Knowing all that you have gone through over the years makes this especially poignant for me. And this message could not have come in a more timely fashion. Your real words were spoken directly to my heart. Thank you for your faith and perseverance. We are so blessed to have you. Thank you for believing.
18. August 2011 at 7:14 am
How Great is Our God!! Rena, your magnificent beauty inside and out radiates in this video!! Thank you Lord for fighting the battle with Rena, and us on our knees. The Glory is all Yours, Lord, through this great servant of Yours. Rena, you have taught Belief, Faith, Love, and Hope loud and clear for Him, because of Him, through the Your Mary Kay business. He smiles, Mary Kay smiles. Those of us who have not joined the flock, not knowing Jesus, the Shepard, you are: inspiring; teaching; breathing: belief, love, and faith in those that do know Him, into those who do not. That is the soul purpose God intended us to be! Rena, my love, I do not know you personally, but you were at Seminar. I embraced you at Seminar and waved at you as we passed your exit on the freeway, knowing you were there was a comfort. God is blessing you! Stay strong! Love you Lots!! Kathryn
18. August 2011 at 7:24 am
Rena!!! So glad to see you! Your videos always inspire me! They always seem to come at the right time! Your right on the money about staying busy! Your a vision of hope to all of us! Stay strong so maybe next Seminar I can meet you in person!
Your sister in Mary Kay!
Brenda
18. August 2011 at 9:43 am
My friend Rena Tarbet, YOU have shifted me AGAIN this morning. (Jeff, thank you for sharing her words and heart today). I am LIFTING you my friend…. lifting you up in prayer, lifting you up in spirit, lifting you up with encouragement. YOU continue to make a difference for countless lives— and you are my personal treasured friend. You have made a difference for me as a BRAND New Beauty Consultant (picking you up at the Ft. Lauderdale airport– so nervous to drive such a celebrity– but you gave me a FIRST class lesson in being the REAL DEAL)… your training that day formed my journey to Directorship. Then Top Directorship. Then personal friendship traveling with you and Eddie… fist as Directors, then as NSD’s. You showed and gave me courage when Jerry was ill. You have written me when I can’t imagine you’d have the time. I love you from the bottom of my heart, and this was the ‘in my face’ opportunity to get you a word of love today. STAND TALL my friend. You are all that and more… forever in your corner! I love you Rena! Pamela
18. August 2011 at 9:47 am
As always Rena Just what I needed to hear today! So wonderful to see you up and moving and you are looking so pretty! Thanks Jeff for sharing her with us. Can’t wait to hear more soon. Love you Rena and as always we’ll keep on praying. Cindy
18. August 2011 at 11:50 am
Hi Jeff,
Funny you should refer to your mother as “The Champ” for the life turning events she has and is still going through. The “moves” that you refer to only make me think of Muhammad Ali “The Champ” as one who has had so many obstacles in his life as well and is still fighting Parkinson’s Disease. I know him too well. I work at his estate in Berrien Springs, MI as my husband is the Estate Manager. He also never complains about his situation. He is a real trouper fighting for his chance to stay ALIVE as well but nonetheless, I loved your reference in this blog.
You mother is a strong lady and a “Cinderella Queen”. God has a mission for her and you are her stronghold for that mission while bringing the videos. I have enjoyed these updates on this wonderful lady you call MOM!
Here is a quote that I found today that I would love to share, but not sure who said it. Here goes:
“Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
So love the people who treat you right.
Love the ones who don’t just because you can.
Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands.
If it changes your life, let it.
Kiss slowly.
Forgive quickly.
God never said life would be easy.
He just promised it would be worth it.”
God bless your mother in her fight for LIFE and God bless her family. Stay strong! Love, hugs and prayers!
20. August 2011 at 12:03 pm
Thanks So Much, Rena! I really needed to hear you encouraging words this morning. I promise – I will Count My Blessings and Get to Work! Love You So Much!
21. August 2011 at 12:53 am
I watched the latest Youtube update on Rena and believe it or not tears were streaming down my face when I saw Rena motivating me and inspiring me with her words in spite of her difficulty. I couldn’t stop crying.
Rena has experienced so much physical pain and exaustion, nausea and frustration and yet she still has found what little strength and energy she has and her faith in G-d to ‘bee-lieve’ that things will get better and she continues to inspire others and offer so much love and caring. When I think of the challenges that I’ve had to face as a male consultant and even the time I’ve wasted to get angry and have a pity party when my business has taken a dive or even gone flat I have to admit that I feel a bit ashamed and my own problems and lack of a positive attitude is so trivial.
Although I still regret not signing up with Mary Kay Cosmetics many years earlier because I might have had the opportunity to meet Mary Kay Ash in person, one of my new goals for the upcoming Seminar year of 2012 is to meet Rena Tarbet in person and tell her how much I love her and will continue to inspire other people to go for their dreams just like she has inspired me.
Thank you so much Rena, I love you and I am greatful that there are angels helping you to get better and share the love with everyone you can.
Leslie Benisz, Dancing All Stars Unit, Vancouver Canada
http://www.marykay.ca/lbenisz
lesliebenisz@yahoo.ca
22. August 2011 at 1:04 pm
Hang in Rena You are an amazing woman that I hold near and dear. I’ve always felt a connection with you. It’s grown over the years and now we have similar journeys I know that you have braved through alot. Rest, when needed have fun when time and body feels up to it, love lots and share. Its been 2 years now since my last radiation tx well in 2 weeks it’ll be 2 years. Brain tumors are not fun at all and I understand everything you are feeling and going thru. I still have times when I am very very tired and days when I have lots of energy, those days I do as much as I can and overdo. I still work as a nurse and have my marykay business as a consultant. Not as near as what it was. I’ll keep plugging along. So many things I’d like to say. Love you, Rena and thanks for wisdom and sharing. Cause I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Love Yvonne Pegram Henderson Nc.
22. September 2011 at 11:16 pm
Hello Beautiful Rena!
Thank you so much for the update and the wonderful message. You are 1 tough cookie and that is For Sure!! You fill us with inspiration and hope and motivate the heck out of all of us! I have a photo of you and I and 1 of my new recruits from Wausau, Wi. You were our guest speaker for MKU (Mary Kay University)a coupole of years back. We loved you! Anyway- I see your beautiful smile each day in that photo and you really get me going. Thank you for sharing and for keeping the dream alive. I feel so very blest to have met you and your words will keep the fire burning…keep working…keep working…keep working
God Bless you- my thoughts are with you and your family
Peace in knowing how many people really love you
Many Mary Kay hugs are coming your way
Kitty Fasbender
14. December 2011 at 11:41 am
Rena we would love to have an update on you.
We love you and are praying for you,
Jo Ann