Saturday, January 5, 2013

Well, we have trouble!

The old gal Munching Myrtle finally overdosed on Monica’s brandy filled Christmas Cake – we had to take her to Homewood in Guelph; we got her into the 28 day alcohol treatment program.  But then after a few days , called to ask us to remove her.  She just became too unruly for them to handle.   What a girl – so she’s back in the closet, flat on her back, with duct tape on her mouth, recuperating……………we check up on her now and then and I’m sure she will have a full recovery.

I’ve always wondered how and why people are able to motivate and/or be motivated and do things they never thought they could EVER do, lucky enough to have a mentor in their lives.

I received a beautiful hand-written card the other day from the most inspiring mentor of all! 

While doing volunteer work at a local Addiction Agency, the overworked Executive Director/Counselor approached me, suggesting she would like to focus on counseling and wanted to be relieved of her ED duties.  She wanted to suggest me to replace her!  I was stunned; but apparently she saw something in me that I certainly didn’t recognize.  She promised she would mentor me for as long as I needed.

Well I ended up applying for the position.  I was so unsure of myself that my application included putting myself on probation, getting paid but reimbursing the agency  for 3 MONTHS as a charitable donation.  If they were happy with me, then they could start paying me for real.

Well, it turned out they were more than pleased, and I ran the agency for 3 years.  I renovated the location by doubling the number of rooms available, mostly done with donations from local companies and doubled the number of counsellors.  We were able to obtain a  gambling addiction certification for one of the counselors – a first and only for KW at that time.  Another important part of the mix was through all of this, we were able to turn the agency from a red to a black financial position. 

Now I am going to be the first to tell you – I DID NOT DO ANY OF THIS BY MYSELF.  We had an amazing Board of Directors built up, incredible staff and built up a volunteer staff of 16, all who would come in on week-ends working sledge-hammers and do whatever was needed to demolish the additional space we were able to rent (including fighting and killing rats!).  And……a recently retired gentleman from Zehr’s named John, with LOTS of connections, who took on the role of Project Manger definitely helped!

Another thing this smart and beautiful lady named Anne said to me.  The first time she met Bob, she told me we were meant for each other and that she would HIGHLY recommend that we stay together, giving me 8 step-children.  We all know how that turned out and what a wise decision that was!

Over the years, we’ve met and became friends with her lovely daughter Bethany, who guess what, just happens to be as caring, beautiful and supportive as her Mom – no surprise there.  So a big thank you Anne for changing, recognizing something I obviously never knew I had in me and giving purpose and  meaning to my life.

My point is – it’s amazing what any of us can do when we see potential in another person, be it a child, a friend, or even a total stranger.  Give them incentive – help them see what they can accomplish – encouragement is a wonderful thing - It could change their lives……………………..and yours.  It certainly did change mine!

Another interesting thing has happened to me.

At the beginning of this cancer saga, I started this blog because I wanted to save time.  I was emailing different people at different times updating, etc. and it became a big hassle, so decided to do something different.

It has gotten out of control, some days getting over 100 hits!  Apparently it’s become enlightening, powerful and meaningful to a lot of people.  I certainly didn’t have that intention, thinking it a way to get things off my chest, have a little fun and introducing that little witch (my alter-ego steroid Munching Myrtle).

Here again, this is something I NEVER thought I would be able to do!

I’m glad people are enjoying it.  I will keep it up but seriously not on a daily basis, just when I think of something or if anything changes here.

The new and improved prescriptions for my side effects are kicking in so that should make life easier for me.  It will help us hockey players dressed in pink, to stick handle our way around “The McAllister’s Point of View” near Mount Forest.

Have a good day – and inspire someone today, if you can.