Today, for "Women's History Month", we are celebrating this amazing lady
Meet Kim Grindatti, wife, mother of 2, business woman
Soon to turn 60, she reflects on her life...
Kim considers herself a survivor. Growing up, her home life was rough; it was at times very abusive, and it deeply hindered her expectations of herself. Through the years, Kim admittedly made many questionable choices, struggling with low self-esteem and drug and alcohol addiction. She believes this early struggle is the reason she persevered later in life, and has a tough skin to handle everything life has dealt her. It was a long road to recovery, but she proud to say she’s been clean of addiction for 30+ years.
As a young woman, Kim had many career dreams- everything from an ER doctor to an airplane pilot. At 17, in her junior year of high school, Kim began college courses. In 1979, Kim wanted to join the Air Force as a fighter pilot. At that time however, women were not allowed to fly planes, & she was alternatively offered an air traffic control position. Instead, Kim decided to move to Boston, to work full-time, and to go back to college. At this time, Kim’s amazing mother was paramount in Kim’s addiction-healing process. Once fully clean, Kim successfully completed her degree in Criminal Justice. Kim absolutely loved her career. She worked in Boston as an undercover agent, working on drug busts, arson investigations, theft and interrogations, surveillance details and more. As Kim always says, "When you grow up in chaos, you seek chaos." When Kim later met her husband, and eventually had children, the chaos wasn’t so important to her anymore, though “chasing the thrill” still excites her.
Kim and her husband Kurt have raised two amazing children. Her wonderful & talented son Michael is 30 now, and he and his girlfriend will make Kim a grandmother for the first time this summer! Kim’s daughter Maggie, who lives in Miami with her fiancé Roberto, is a 6- time Jiu Jitsu world champion!
As the years go on, Kim hopes to continue chasing her passions. She has always had a strong entrepreneurial spirit. She has owned a successful online retail business for twelve years. Kim loves live music, enjoys travel & has recently enjoyed international travel, and has even skydived! Ever the thrill seeker, she someday hopes to ride in a fighter plane. She has experienced goose bump-inducing flyovers at professional football games and at a Special Olympics event in Dubai. It is definitely something that still excites her immensely! Another passion is rescuing Rottweiler’s. Kurt says Kim is a “foster failure” because she tends to keep all of her rescue dogs. Recently, Kurt became disabled from an accident at work and struggles with a brain injury. They are working hard to help him heal so they can enjoy each other’s company at a slower pace. As Kim always has, they will survive this chapter as well.
Kim's advice is: "If you struggle with low self-esteem or addiction, don’t waste your life away. Seek help. If you are unhappy with your life, seek therapy. Don’t judge others. Go out and see the world. It is an amazing life, and you will grow if ou strive to be the best you can be."
Kim's favorite quote is:
if you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space.
*****
Thank you, Kim, for sharing your journey with us all!
#whm #womenshistorymonthproject #womansupportingwomen #womenempowerment
3 Comments
Mar 21, 2021, 11:17:05 AM
Susan Caron - Wow! Just wow! Kim, you’re awesome and I thought you were pretty cool, but now? Just amazing! Glad to have you in my life.
Mar 20, 2021, 8:21:03 PM
Linda MacDonald - Inspirational. Wish I had known all this when we were in more contact. You’ve raised 2 great kids. Wishing the best for Kurt.
Mar 20, 2021, 7:05:31 PM
Irene Woods - Kim is amazing and it was a delight to learn some things I didn’t remember. You made your mother proud!