 President's
Message
By: Carole Morris |
We are rapidly approaching the end of the
year and it's time to look back and reflect on 2006. This message
is a little different and more personal than most presidents' messages;
but it is important for me to share this with you. While the year
is ending on a sad note for me personally, it started out as a good
year. First, I took my place as president of the Atlanta Chapter;
then I went to Montreal, sat for and passed the CLM Exam. During
the year I deepened relationships with some AALA members and business
partners and began new relationships with others.
I've heard people talk before about the
"ALA family" and I learned first-hand in late October what a huge,
loving family ALA is; and that includes our business partners. You
have all been so kind to me, offering whatever help and support
my family and I needed.
The night I found out about my daughter
Linda's death was the night several of us drove back from the Region
2 meeting, not arriving home until about 11 pm. That's when I learned
of her death. Craig Cothern, Cindy Cobb and Jennifer Brinkley were
already at my house, having come earlier to be with my daughter,
Kathy, while she waited on me to arrive home. After learning of
Linda's death, Will Lee, Carol Coombs, Theresa Turner and her husband,
Rich, showed up at my door at about midnight to sit with me and
offer their love and support. Deborah Higginbotham just came into
my house the next day and wonderfully took over. She brought groceries
that we could just pick up and eat without the bother of cooking;
she even remembered that I had cats and brought cat food and litter
and even changed the litter! As I sat there in numb disbelief, I
gloried in the fact that I had such friends.
So many of you left your busy offices that
Tuesday and took the time to drive to Marietta to give me a hug
or maybe just to attend Linda's service. I didn't get to see or
thank many of you for attending and lending your support. Others
of you sent flowers, sent cards, emails or just offered a hug when
you saw me. The love I felt and continue to feel is such a comfort
that I wonder how people who do not have God, family or friends
in their life could get through such a nightmare as this. I feel
so fortunate to be a part of such a wonderful organization and to
have the family and friends that I do.
Not only did I hear from the Atlanta members;
but I heard from members throughout Region 2 and the staff at Headquarters.
There are not enough ways in the world
to say "thank you" to all of you.
Here's my message to you: If you are a
member of AALA and have not begun building relationships with other
members and with our business partners, I urge you to do so. The
friends I have made during the past few years are wonderful and
offer support, both personally and professionally, whenever and
however it is needed. Start small, if necessary, but sit with someone
new at lunch, call someone and ride together to a meeting - whether
the monthly meeting or a section meeting. You'll find it worthwhile
and rewarding. Talk with a vendor when he or she calls; go have
lunch with them, or drinks, or dinner. You'll find friends where
you least expect it. Don't be afraid to reach out; these people
are so marvelous.
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