If I have thoughts of winning any awards, they would most certainly
fall into 3 categories - book awards, screenplay awards and teaching awards. That is just the alphabetical order! And the most achievable one in my head has
always been a teaching award. That is the one I would like to win the most when
I actually have a teaching job!
So, imagine my surprise when
I received news today that I won an award for outstanding community service. What?! Apparently, it is for real. I
thought I was being pranked with the month of April and Fools and what not!!
The ceremony is in about 10 days’
time. I am taking my mother as my guest. I do not write much about my mother;
but as most children do, I wish for my parents to be proud of me.
Hopefully, this small "accomplishment" makes them feel like they have
accomplished something as well.
I am sure I will not get to
make a speech when I receive the award. And that's OK because I get to write it
here! Obviously, I cannot thank all the people in my life who have made me who
I am. However, I can thank the people who have helped me get this award and
that will be my short list.
Growing up, I did not know of "community service" - it was
simply synonymous with what my parents did on a daily basis. They were
both very active in bringing together family, friends and neighbours. They
always helped anyone and everyone. My brother and I were lucky to have such
role models and we simply started taking on responsibilities such as what they
took on. My parents started me on this path and always supported all my choices
regardless of how foolish others considered them. My brother was right there
with them each time. My heartfelt thanks to all 3 of them!
Especially for this award, I have to thank my 2 boys. They inspire me
and influence my choices in a big way. If I am as involved as I am with the
community I am in, it is because of the boys. I want to be a good role model to
them like my parents are for me.
For sure, I have to thank Craigley, the biggest villain in my life.
When I first met him, he told me that patience is not one of his virtues.
However, he is super patient with me while I go about spending my time with the
community instead of on my own personal development. It must drive him crazy,
but he hangs in there. Thank you Craigley!
Next, I most definitely have to thank Lady A who has shown immense
faith in me from the moment I met her. She set me off on this "community
service" path! Lady A, thank you for believing in me!
Then there is G who kicked it up a notch. When he came along and we
started working together as volunteers, rumours sprung and things became
unbearable for a while. If I had let that bring me down, I wouldn't be writing
right now about an award. Instead, I made a resolution to partner up with the
one person with whom I produce the best "community service". G
challenges me to take on responsibilities I wouldn't necessarily consider and
it helps me discover abilities I never knew I had. Thank you G.
Lastly, my friends C, P and Y, and our numerous coffee mornings! If
they don't take the time out to support me or provide free therapy sessions
when I am down, I wouldn't get much accomplished on any given day. And not the
least, there are my 4 dear friends who I chat with in cyberspace and then,
there are KPF, Sir B and Smoggie!
You are the rocks I lean on when I am tired and you let me rest. I get
my energy from you all.
Thank you.
The music has been playing
for a while now and I need to stop right here!
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