Full Circle

When I left corporate America a few years ago, I decided I wanted to spend a lot of my newly found time serving in my community. So many amazing organizations! Currently, I volunteer for these wonderful organizations:

• Crystal Coast Hospice House: Board of Directors and Treasurer

• Carteret County Economic Development Foundation: Board of Directors and I sit on the Housing Assessment Committee and the Women in Business Conference Committee

• Gramercy Christian School: Personal Finance teacher and Warrior Run fundraiser

• First Baptist Church Finance Committee

• First Baptist Church Diaconate

It was quite the honor to be invited to become a deacon. It greatly pushed me out of my comfort zone but into a direction I wanted to be going.

A few weeks ago, I received a call that a lady I was the deacon for was in the hospital. She had been having some health issues and they had worsened. I got in the car and went over to the hospital to visit with her. When I arrived at her room, her daughter (whom I did not know) was visiting with her. The daughter explained how they were trying to get her transferred to another hospital for needed surgery. A few days later they were able to get her moved and she had the surgery. After recovering in the hospital for a few days she was moved to a rehab facility to begin physical therapy. Unfortunately, her condition deteriorated and she was moved to the Crystal Coast Hospice House. I went to see her and her family at the Hospice House. She passed away that night in her sleep.

Even though I serve on the Board for the Crystal Coast Hospice House, I'd never had someone I know admitted there. It's truly a special place and our community is so blessed to have it. It feels like a home there; not a sterile hospital. It's comforting and the people were all so kind. People that spend their days caring for the elderly, the sick, the dying are truly special.

When I left, I had to sit in my car for a few minutes and just process it all. This service had come full circle. I was so grateful that I could serve such a wonderful organization and watch it be a blessing to this sweet family and so many others.

Serving others is truly the most rewarding and fulfilling experience. If you are missing that from your life, I encourage you to step out and get involved in your community. You won't regret it!