Rewarded

This week the School of Social Work at WSU held its 75th anniversary celebration. I was contracted by the school to help put together and design a commemorative book for the event. 38 pages of historical facts, old photos put into collages and pictures of faculty etc...
While the job ended up being way more than I bargained for, in the end it was well worth it. The book will now be a part of the school's history for years to come, how cool is that!

Yesterday at the festivities I was acknowledged in front of 200 alumni, Deans, faculty and supporters for my contribution with a lovely and heart felt statement from the Dean that brought tears to my eyes. I received accolades from so many very important and prominent people, not just for my work on the book, but my work for the school in general. Its not every day that you feel valued, respected and appreciated at work- and yesterday's event, and those words from the Dean, I will never forget. Our Dean is now the Acting Provost for Wayne State University. Its not every day the second highest ranking officer of a University points to you in the middle of an event and thanks you for all of your efforts. I was floored.

To top things off my boss offered to purchase a new lens for my camera as a thank you gift for all I've done! How awesome is that!

As Fred and I drove home from the Detroit Golf Club I thought to myself how all of those years of struggling while I was in school- to make ends meet, to study while sitting next to my father's hospital bed, of wondering if I am ever going to land a decent job, wondering if I even chose the right profession and wondering if I will end up hating what I'm doing- it has all paid off.

Sure, my job isn't perfect and not everyone I work with is so gracious, and yes I would like to make more money...but I can honestly say at the end of the work week that I like what I do and I feel like my work matters. I feel like I matter to the school and to the people I work with.

I received a letter from the Special Assistant to the Dean indicating a career ladder he wants to support me in climbing...and while most are pushing me into the PhD program, I don't think I'm ready for that yet and I'm not even sure its what I want. I love the level of research I am engaged in now because I get a taste of all of it- Teen Dating Violence, Maternal/Infant Health, Domestic Violence, Prisoner Re-entry and Palliative Care...such amazing research is happening all the time and I have a part in that!

I feel like everything is happening like it is supposed to. I am where I belong in an environment of learning and above all I am in an environment of helping others...that's all I've ever really cared about.

As Fred and I were leaving the event my boss, the Director of Research, leaned over her husband and said to Fred, "I knew when I had that girl in my class that she was something special...I knew she'd be going places...she sat in the back of the room looking at me, challenging me to be a better instructor and I knew then..."

It was an amazing night.

I was one of the best nights of my life.