Well Wishes

Telling people about my plans to leave my life here and go live in France has been on the whole a very positive experience. In fact, most folks have been extremely supportive and enthusiastic for me. Many of my friends appear to be jealous and tell me to go for it (ostensibly because they can't), my work friends are jealous and tell me to have a great time, my family is just plain excited and can't wait to hear about my adventures (and visit me in France - they love to travel!)

My sharing of my news with folks at work has been universally positive. They are so psyched for me. It's great. They appear to be just envious of my decision. My EVP told me about her attachment to France; she goes there just about once a year with her husband - enjoys how the country is so more relaxed and unconcerned about running around and getting things done that our US colleagues. Absolutely!

The contractors who have worked for me in the past (and are still in the company, as employees or contractors) have expressed their excitement for my new adventure. Makes me feel good.

Everyone I've told at this point at work - and I waited quite a bit of time to tell them - didn't feel that they needed more than a few weeks to process this information (rightly!) - has been so incredibly supportive and excited for me. Again, I feel like I am the one they are living vicariously through in my adventures. NP.

I will have a party in my honor next week, hosted by my church choir and the Deacons at the church. I have sung in the choir almost 22 years (OMG!) and although very few match my tenure, it is a group that matters alot to me, and I look forward to being with them that evening. I joined the Deacons a year and half ago, and after being a Session Member, chair of the Finance Committee and Treasurer of the church during the past 10 years, being a part of the group that fosters community in the congregation has been a welcome change for me. It's the thing that I love most about my job at work (building community), so doing the same in my congregation was a welcome addition to my life. And the Deacons I work with feel the same way. Can't ask for more.

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Dear Ari,
We don't know if you are already on your way to Europe and this new venture in your life, bu t regardless, we want to thank you for all you have contributed to our experience as part of the congregation at Western Church. We can't imagine the choir without you, and surely Tom and the others must feel the same way. We have very much appreciated your work on "The Word" and not the least your business capabilities and trying to keep us realistic about the endowment and other financial matters at the church. We will miss your savvy leadership and your many other talents that have been a blessing over the years we have been at Western.

We also appreciated being included in your party and will miss having the opportunity to get to know you better.

May God bless you in the coming years and hopefully your journey will someday leads you back here.

Roxana and Jim

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Nice to hear from folks. It makes life worth it.

I'm looking forward to the next chapter in my life. But I wouldn't trade my experiences and relationships with those at Western for anything in the world. That's life. Thanks to all of you who are my family at Western. I love you deeply.