The last two months have been interesting. Challenging. Terrifying but in a good way. Even though for a while it was just terrifying in a bad way.
My four-year-old daughter had surgery last week for an infected lymph node. She’d been sick since late August. Up until yesterday we weren’t sure what she was sick from, so as you can imagine it’s been a roller coaster of fear and relief.
Her surgery took place at Seton’s Dell Children’s Medical Center, which creates as good an environment as you can get for sick kids but also for parents of sick kids. (The ladies of The Assistance League gave her a nice treat, too.) She also had a visit to the St. David’s emergency room in Round Rock where a doctor there was amazingly kind and reassuring to a mom and kid at 4 am. We were in good hands.
Luckily, I had been laid off from the Austin Community Foundation in July, so I could spend the whole day and night caring for her. Yes, I consider that good luck. My job as communications director at ACF was the best job I’ve ever had, but ACF is going through lots of changes right now and it needs to find its footing before it can create a communications strategy.
And being laid off set me on the path of pursuing GivingCity full time. It’s time for GivingCity to grow beyond a single organization, beyond me, and with the help of Texas Association of Nonprofit Organizations, Barry Silverberg, Ken Gladish and many others, it’s on the road to becoming the first nonprofit magazine about nonprofits in the country.
You might expect being laid off and having your daughter in the hospital within the span of about a month would be difficult. Certainly I wouldn’t have chosen either. But my overall feeling isn’t fear or stress or discouragement, rather it’s gratitude. So many friends and family members have held us up. I never felt alone, never felt despair. We always knew everything would be just fine, maybe even great.
Thank you.
First of all, I’m so glad your little girl is doing so well. There are some real angels at Dell Children’s. I hope she continues to a full and speedy recovery.
Secondly, one of my favorite, centering phrases I remember when I’m in the midst of ambiguity and chaos is “everything is unfolding exactly as it should be”. Sometimes you have to take a step back – or be forced to take a step back – before you can plow ahead with abandon. I’m looking forward to seeing the growth in GivingCity over the coming months and years. Congratulations.
Sending positive thoughts for your daughter’s continuing recovery. And for your on-going journey in support of philanthropy and the non-profit community. Thank you for finding and honoring your passion to do good.
So sorry to hear it’s been a tumultuous time for you and your family. As they say, when one door closes, another one opens. Thanks for being a voice for the nonprofit community — there are so many important causes that can and will benefit.
Hope your daughter continues to bounce back–and her parents too. I’m cheering you on–your distinctive voice is one of philanthropy’s biggest assets. Giving City’s best days are ahead!
I had no idea all this was going on. I’m so sorry to hear it. Is your daughter doing OK now? I will hold you both in my thoughts.
Warmly,
Darien
Sending you and your family well wishes – I am so glad to hear that your daughter is on the road to recovery. I can only imagine how scary that journey had been. And on the topic of journeys, I can’t wait to see where the next path guides you and your gifts to our community!
Always your fan,
Erica
Thank you for exuding strength through trial. Wonderful news about your daughter’s recovery! I know this direction and timing will reap great reward. If you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Morgan L Bierlein