5769: A Look Back

Posted on September 22, 2009

I have to admit, I was a little taken aback as I was preparing to write this blog. You see, Daniel had asked me to write something up for this week (a task I was happy to complete), but failed to mention that he had already written something highlighting all things Rosh Hashanah oriented. Just like that, I was back to square one with literally no thoughts or ideas for blogging purposes.

It finally hit me, like the pictures, thank you notes, calendars and other items on my wall behind my desk…wait, it was those items! Each one of those items was added at some point in the last 12 months…what better way to take a look back at the year that was. Below are just a few memories of 5769.

First and foremost, there are my calendars. The first is the one of a cartoon bunny having 12 bad days, one for each month of the year. Some people think it’s a little gross, but it’s certainly a conversation starter. The other, is a calendar of recycling dates for the town of Bergenfield, NJ. As a staff member of Areyvut, I firmly believe in recycling and its benefits, though I have to admit, I have never once consulted the calendar. The calendars remind me of important dates that have passed, are yet to come and when to take out the trash without getting into trouble.

I have two thank you notes. One is from Sylvia, a 92 year old woman who celebrated her Bat Mitzvah this year. We sent her an Areyvut “A Kindness a Day” Calendar to mark her achievement. Thank you notes go a long way in this office, especially when they are from someone as old as Sylvia, who no longer has the ability to see. The other thank you note is from Tomorrow’s Children Fund for the hats we donated to them. I especially like the handwritten part where it says “Thanks for the baseball hats!” since I think it’s important to show personalized gestures. The thank you notes remind me that age is only a number, you’re only as young as you feel and with a positive attitude anything is possible.

Since I write the Areyvut e-Newsletter, I love to hear from people that are reading it. In March I received a letter stating: “We have been reading your monthly bulletins and are very impressed with your organization”. It may not be a ringing endorsement for the e-Newsletter, but still, someone’s reading it. This note reminds me that people care and that one positive voice can make a great impact on someone’s day, in this case mine.

Lastly, there is a Certificate of Recognition. I received it back in June from Flo, one of our summer interns. All of us, Daniel included, was having one of those days where padded office walls didn’t seem like such a bad idea. Daniel broke out the certificates and each person chose a name out of a hat. Flo chose to recognize me for “making everyday fun and filled with laughs”. This certificate reminds me that I need to look ahead to tomorrow and not forget to bring anything to the Touro College Career Fair where I will be on the lookout for new interns for the new year, 5770.
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