Just Sayin'...

Our Executive Directors sharing a hug. Kay is retiring on June 12 and Justin is taking over. We are blessed!

The Reward is IN the Journey, and what a journey it has been! I am writing my last 'Just Sayin' Blog as I prepare to retire on Friday, June 12 after 12 years of serving as Executive Director of Open Hands Midway. This is not an easy piece to write as it is hard to say goodbye having had the honor of serving as Executive Director. The picture you see is of myself and our future Executive Director, Justin Lewandowski. I cannot think of a better person to take on this role. On Wednesday, June 3, I officially met with Justin to welcome him onboard. As we approached one another in the hallway, along with Pastor Kirsten Fryer, I reached out my arms, placed them on his shoulders and said, 'Congratulations. You are inheriting an incredible organization that I have had the honor of leading." I then began to cry. The type of crying that comes with leaving a place I have loved so dearly and passionately, and still do! Justin embraced me and said, "I got you buddy." It was a moment that I will not forget, it still chokes me up. Thank you, Justin, for your kindness and compassion in that beautiful moment. YOU are going to be such a great Director, Open Hands Midway is blessed.

Leading this organization has been amazing. The first time I walked into the office and met with Pr. Joy Johnson, Pr. Steve Slostad, and Mary Amdahl I had no idea what the next 12 years would be like or what it would bring. As I said earlier, The Reward is IN the Journey! I have served alongside amazing people on the Board of Directors, worked with amazing staff, and served with amazing volunteers, and connected with many amazing partners throughout our community and beyond.

I look back at the challenges WE faced and with each of them WE learned and grew to be who WE are today. WE celebrated successes that WE earned together. WE received incredible support from people just like you who helped us sustain the vital work WE do in our community. I say WE because no one person can do this work alone, it is a community effort and our community is beautiful!

As I approach my final day here I do so with peace in my heart. My decision is one that came after nearly 2 years of discernment taking time with my family to pray about it, talk about it, to plan for it and to finally reveal I would actually retire. As I spoke with each member of our Board of Directors the common response was, "We are sad for Open Hands Midway but so very happy for you." To be told of the good job I have done and that I was just the right person for the job has been heartwarming. I am incredibly grateful that you put up with me for all this time. My crazy sense of humor, my love of sports (who hasn't heard a million stories about Nascar and hockey?), and my passion for biking, and the fact a picky eater is a leader of a food program.

Leaving is bittersweet because I have made so many wonderful connections with our guests. I have taken time to learn their names and I call them by name each time they come through our door. It is priceless to keep all those names in my head and feel connected to each one of them in a unique way, all because of greeting people by name.

It is also bittersweet to leave as I dearly admire Steve and John for all they do to make Open Hands Midway a welcoming place. Steve cooks all those great meals we serve each week, he's become my friend (and occasional bicycling buddy), and someone I admire. John runs our food shelf and is truly passionate about his role. I admire him for the compassion he shows to each person who comes to the food shelf making sure they have a good experience when they are here. He too has become my friend.

I would be remiss if I did not thank my Board of Directors for the way they allowed me to do this job. They never doubted me, they trusted where my leadership took us and they supported me in times when it was just hard. We worked well together and I know you will continue to work well together with Justin as your new Executive Director.

My job has never felt like a job in the true sense of the word. It has been a place of community, a community I will miss. When all is said and done, I simply hope you know that I cared, just sayin'...