It’s my last day at Friends of Parkside and as I sit here reflecting on the last 2 and half months, it doesn’t feel real. After my first week here, even after my first month here, I didn’t feel like time was moving fast at all. But now it is August already and it feels like we were just celebrating the 4th of July. Here we are, just ten weeks later and I’ve gained an experience I’ll never forget.
I’ve put in a lot of work for this community and the closer and closer it got to my departure, I felt the pressure of having so much work left to do despite all that I’ve done. At first I felt like I was leaving with all of this unfinished business. Then I came to the realization that in this line of work – placemaking that is, and working for a community in general – the work is never done. So, I’m not leaving without completing my work, I’m just passing the baton to the next person who will come after me.
However, most importantly, is what this community has done for me. First it taught me to be a better listener – to better listen to people who have different ideas and ways of thinking than me. My time here has helped me to become more open minded so that I can gain insight that I otherwise wouldn’t have access to. I’ve been in so many meetings and thought, “I didn’t even think of that,” or “that’s such a great point.” I’ve always been able to accept difference, but during these past ten weeks, I’ve grown to appreciate the beauty in difference and the advantages it may bring. I’m only mentioning a couple of my take-aways because the list is far too long. I’m beyond grateful to have connected with a new community, and I’m happy to have been to able to reach some of my personal goals along the way.
