Daughter offered marvelous advice on Saturday over dinner about SOS. I asked her what I should do considering the burnout and the lack of volunteers (she's a volunteer, I should hasten to add, as is Grandgirl who designed our logo). She advised that I should ramp it down many notches due to the lack of skill-sets in volunteers (not web or technology or marketing literate unfortunately) and outlined a simple plan going forward which will not bleed our senses and our bodies out. I felt renewed after being with her.
Meanwhile, my partner in anarchy had burned out over the weekend with a particularly insulting response to a request for help she had posted. It tipped her over the edge. So I am meeting with her today to revive her spirits as Daughter has revived mine and plan a completely different (and simpler) course of action involving just the two of us. If you review one of my posts on SOS you will see an example of the kind of unhelpful and completely dispiriting comments we have been receiving. I've left one undeleted. Many of these, as you can guess, are anonymous. As key board warriors tend to be.
But I so appreciate the support of the rest of you, my dear blogmates, who understand how this whole venture exploded under the gnarly feet of two disabled elderly women with limited resources and energy. Thank you for your words of encouragement and support.
Meanwhile I leave you on a giggle:
I was folding laundry yesterday and was putting away this T-shirt when I realized this was the T-shirt I was wearing when two election campaigners came to the door and started to back away from me just about immediately. I thought it was my succinct pronouncements on senior poverty but no. On second thoughts? It was what I unconsciously wore. Excellent attire for voting season, ya think?
Ah, your daughter sounds wise.
ReplyDeleteAnd I want that t-shirt! It would be so appropriate to many of the meetings I attend.
just know I care and appreciate your words to your older sister.
ReplyDeleteLove you, E
Sounds like a good plan, WWW, with much less stress for you and your colleague. In time, the right helpers with the right skills might well come forward. The important ball you've set a-rolling will not soon be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteLOVE that t-shirt.
ReplyDeleteHooray for sisters. World-wide sisters we may or may not have a blood connection with. Who listen, who encourage, who lift us up. And who laugh with us (and also grieve and rage).
Tee is funny. Sometimes it takes a clear and uncluttered (and perhaps young) head to help us see light.
ReplyDeleteGreat shirt for many occasions. I'm sorry you had to scale back, but for the right reasons.
ReplyDeleteSometimes, it's easier to do it by yourself, whatever it is. If your partner is committed to the project, then do your best to accomplish it with her help. Good luck and best wishes.
ReplyDeleteIt's so hard to accept that others may have run out of steam. That maybe they bit off a bit more than they could chew. As you mention take that time to regroup - you've put your thoughts and ideas out there, sometimes the slower you go the faster you get there.
ReplyDeleteAre there any student bodies willing to help/volunteer as part of their social studies classes?
Cathy
I have a sleep tee that says I love sleep but with a heart where yours has blah blah blah.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your daughter and grand daughter helped simplify things enabling a forward movement to continue. This is such a necessary thing.
You are so fortunate to have such great support coming from your daughter and Grandgirl. You and your partner in this have done a terrific job to date and I'm happy you have managed to re-percolate, so to speak because you just sounded so exhausted. I like what Cathy said: "Sometimes the slower you go, the faster you get there." You've done so well and started the ball rolling. Warmest wishes and best of everything.
ReplyDeleteI am getting a t-shirt printed with that message.
ReplyDeleteI went back and looked up that post. Wow. Just wow. It's hard to know what drives someone to be so nasty (and in such a cowardly way).
ReplyDeleteI want to wear that shirt every. single. day.
ReplyDeleteI imagine you are frustrated by exhaustion and by needing to slow the project down but take heart, no good action is ever wasted.
Here I am to cheer you. (clearing throat and singing).. Somewhere over the rainbow ,dreams do really come true.
ReplyDeleteSomewhere over the rainbow....here... he is way better than me and a ukulele... hugs
check out...you tube- somewhere over the rainbow by Israel Kamikawiwo'Ole
Kamakawiwo'ole
ReplyDeleteforgive my error
I could have used that t-shirt last night. Eager young activists vying for my very soul you'd think. Were religious door-knockers or vacuum salesmen ever as ardent as these politicos who are so sure we just didn't do it right but they'll have it all fixed in no time? Will I just vote for {them}. Ahh but I can't say what I think because if I do they will stalk, doxx, harass and slander me and anyone who claims to know me. It's called activism. In 1930s Germany, it was called another thing. So I don't open my door.
ReplyDeleteThank you angels!!
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW