Date Posted:
12/29/2010
 President's Report IV
November , 2011
We all have a story in us...some just longer than others.
Well, the holiday season is here. We just went through our Thanksgiving Holiday, and ahead of us we have the excitement and joy of Christmas and Hanukkah.
When I thought of all that I am thankful for, I included this association and the many friends I have made. All of you with whom I have met, have made an impact on me. It may be a smile as we passed each other at a conference, or sending a recipe to another, car pooling to a meeting or the conference - or should I say sharing a limo ride...or the frequent phone call to touch base as to the status of our association, to knowing that our friendships have grown so strongly, that I know I can depend on you if a need arises. How close we have become when we were under the pressure and strain of building our association back up. How close we have become when we were feverishly working to bring a conference together for our peers that is strong and informative. How close we have become when working on those "little things that have fallen through the cracks."
I recently went through a challenge, as I'm sure all of us do at times. (Since last year, I refer to these challenges as "flying monkeys.") I reached out and you answered. I relied on feedback from some of you, which helped me to see the situation through in a clearer, positive manner. And, recently when I opened my emails, I read a positive, bouncy, upbeat message from one of you I'll refer to as "Toto." I immediately had a smile on my face, had an "aha" moment hit me that I can do this because of the friends I've made through our association. I sat back in my chair, "took a breath" as I recalled from the instruction one of our speakers had us experience at last June's conference, and simply said, "thank you." I then spoke with another friend, I refer to as "Scarecrow," (do you feel a pattern developing?) and he pulled things into perspective as he spoke from his heart.
This holiday season coming up, we'll be experiencing traveling, family, dinners, presents, friends, traditions. We may play games, participate in church services, take quiet walks in the snow, treat ourselves to that special traditional movie that we can't go through the season without watching. Whatever keeps you going through the season, our volunteers somehow become intertwined with us this in a special, gentle way this time of year. As "Toto" mentioned in an email, do you have that special chair that seems to encompass sometimes the most interesting stories that you can ever imagine? Some of the experiences our volunteers have encountered just widens our eyes with curiosity leaving us to question our own ability as to being able to handle what had occurred in the story s/he just told. I'm placing a red bow on that chair in my office and being thankful for that volunteer who is sitting there, sharing her story about her traditional, family holiday and bringing the warmth of the holiday to me. We're all connected. We all have that special chair. We all have a story in us, some just longer than others.
I am thankful for you, NYSADVS members. I can't wait to see those of you who are able to attend our December meeting, and I always look forward to seeing those of you who attend the annual conference.
Have a wonderful, safe holiday season.
Respectfully,
Susan E. McNeil, DVS
President
"Together We Smile...Together We Laugh...Together We Live!"
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