Brain Freeze

Last weekend I saw a beautiful toddler having an ice cream cone. He was so happy and excited! And then all of a sudden, he started to scream, shoved his cone at his mother, and grabbed his face. Of course, the ice cream that had dripped on his hands now smeared his face; he was quite a mess! It seemed obvious to me that he had a sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia – a scientific term for “brain freeze.” I could feel his pain, as could his mother. She soothed him with her words, wiped his face and hands with a napkin, and soon the sobbing stopped, and he wanted his cone again. I couldn’t help but laugh. It has been a long time since I’ve had that kind of brain freeze.

But, more recently, I’ve been known to have a different type. As the CEO of the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, I have many opportunities to be involved in problem-solving, or to creatively consider strategies to move the Foundation forward. Actually, these are among my favorite tasks (just like ice cream is my favorite treat). But there are times when, just like the toddler, I feel like I’m having a “brain freeze.” My mind goes blank. I’ve lost the thought I had just two minutes ago. Or there is an idea hanging out there on the fringes somewhere, but I can’t quite grasp it. Or worse, I’m dealing with the pain of no idea at all. The good news is that I have the singular privilege of working with the best staff anywhere.

When I’m sitting at my desk, trying hard not to scream, imagining ice cream smeared on my face, I can have a great conversation with any of my staff members. First, they don’t often laugh at the mess I’ve made of myself. They are bright, mission-driven people who will share their thoughts, offer great advice, provide a historical or cultural perspective, and essentially offer up the napkin I need at the moment.

If you haven’t met these wonderful people, you should:

Carolyn Torgersen, VP for Marketing and Communications
Cindy Smith, VP for Grantmaking and Community Leadership
Emmy Rooney, VP for Development and Donor Services
Anita Miles, Administrative Assistant
Carl Conklin, VP for Finance and Administration
Mary Stuart Alderman, Donor Services Associate

And if you ever get "brain freeze," I can guarantee that any of these people would be more than willing to assist. It is what they do on a daily basis. It is part of the everyday matters that is an understood, if not written, part of their job descriptions.

And because of them, the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry is able to make every DAY matter.

Denise K. Spencer