The Price

The photos are about a year apart. I have paid a price for a very stressful work year. I saw the Executive Director position at TCA the previous November but did not apply because I did not want the stress that I new came with that position. So then 2 mtns. later in January, a year ago, I saw the Event Coordinator position - I could do this, this would be a more "regular" schedule - so I applied, was interviewed and hired on the spot basically. January 9. On March 4 the new ED (started a week after I did) resigned, and I was asked to cover it - so whether or not I applied for it, I have been the Acting ED since then. We did a search to hire a new ED and had a contract in July - but he backed out - so I continued until now, and a new ED comes in January 7. A year since my hire.

The workload and stress has been enormous. I put on almost 25 lbs. My life is out of balance, and this year I intend to take it back.

Working 60-80 hrs. a week has been more the norm than the exception, and I have been affected physically, spiritually, with my family and just my whole psyche. I am a caring person, and that is why I have taken such care of a very troubled, broken association. But it is time to care for myself so I can care for the people and missions most dear to me. Not my job.