There.
I said it.
I should've written in my blog sooner, but posting the news here was the last piece to make it *so*. I contacted the board, the foster homes, the supporters and my family. Now it's just a matter of writing it here.
I've given everything to this rescue. My heart and my life, but some people didn't think that was enough and sent petty e-mails that I should be doing more. I was copied on an e-mail that I shouldn't have received. (Foiled by technology!) It was awful and it hurt me to the core. How could I give any more?? I worked at this rescue from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. every day - seven days per week. I spent thousands of dollars of my own money each year. While our volunteers were home with their families, I was in my basement returning phone calls and emails.
It was time to resign before things got worse. I've heard about this sort of petty behaviour happening in rescues or female dominanted charitable groups. I've always been very smug that this would never happen in OUR rescue. Silly Moi.
Since I announced my retirement, the e-mails have been coming in daily from the foster families and other people that heard of my retirement - even former adopters. Some of them made me laugh, and some of them made me cry with joy. I had no idea that I made such a positive impact on this rescue or people's lives. It was wonderful. Really. I can hardly type it without crying now. I've saved every e-mail and will read them when I'm feeling low in the days to come.
I'm going to concentrate on all the GOOD things that I've done within this rescue and not go out with a chip on my shoulder. I hate being around bitter jaded people. You know who they are. They're perpetually angry. That won't be me. Like I've done with the bad days in this rescue, I'm going to move forward and make the most of it.
All my hard work is in 5 big file boxes that I'm going to pass on to the board members tomorrow. Oddly enough, my last foster cat, Mr. Jingles was adopted yesterday. Anybody who has been a reader of my blog will know that I don't believe in coincidences.
God bless the people that enriched my life and made each day beautiful. I wish only the best for the new board members and their future with the rescue.
In the meantime...I'm going to get to know my handsome husband again. (I'm still married, right?)
6 comments:
CRAP. This group was lucky to have you for the past 4 years.
Why can't we all just get along or the ones that cause the problems leave instead of the good ones, like you.
It is really hard to say what the future will be for ACR and if the reputation will be maintained. You will be missed!!
Did I read that correctly? YOU do anymore? YOU? I'm speechless. You are irreplaceable, Beth.
This should never have happened.
Bet David is overjoyed to have his garage and his wife back.
I just recently started reading your blog, but I'm pretty certain that the rescue was more than lucky to have you. It's their loss.
Much good luck in your future endeavors, but a word of advice... you can take the rescuer away from the rescue, but you'll never stop the rescuer from rescuing.
;-)
whoever sent you nasty e-mails about you leaving the rescue...they are SO not worth your time! You did SOOOO much for the rescue Beth. Like I said you will truly be missed and will be hard to replace. I pray to GOD this rescue doesn't fold without you. You were a true leader and educated so many people over the years. Always remember the good you did and will still do!
I'm really sorry to hear that this happened; all I knew was that you had decided to resign, but I didn't hear any of the details. Unfortunately my experience has been that this sort of thing happens with smaller volunteer groups all the time, and believe me it isn't gender-specific! Anyway, I'm still enjoying my foster cats even though I lost two from my most recent litter (3-week-old orphans). The remaining three are adorable (despite the massive vet bills). They've just been getting the "run of the house" and already own it (especially Arwen). Good luck with the new rescue, and say hi to Thomas for me!
Post a Comment