Large Milestones

Team TADD celebrated a large milestone last week. We celebrated our 5th Anniversary. In case you are keeping track, that is over 250 meetings, more than 1,000 hours of meeting time and we've lost track of how many people.
We invited the Board to come, and some did. And we had food, of course. I wasn't sure what to expect of the evening, or what exactly I hoped we would do. But it all just came together awesomely.
We had new youth (first meeting), we had old youth (two of the four original members), we had youth who had only come once or twice, we had youth who have graduated... You name it, they were there. But there were still a LOT who weren't there. We remembered them. We named them by name. We giggled. We laughed.
And then I did warm fuzzies. Usually when I do warm fuzzies, I throw the little pom-pom-like fuzzballs out to them all at once with a comment about why - because of their hardwork, because we've accomplished something, because...
But last Tuesday, I did them individually. I walked around the table, with about 20 teens (ok, so some of them are in their 20s now...), and one by one talked about why they were special, what they contributed and what I remember most. And that I appreciate them. I knew from the outset I might cry - and said so, which led to them making lots of fun of me, which meant I didn't cry, which was awesome for me (I think they were secretly disappointed!).
Walking behind each one, placing my hand on their shoulder, holding their warm fuzzy out, I spent time thinking about each one of them. And talking about them. And at the end of every one, they all clapped for one another.
It was a wonderful trip down memory lane. And an amazing opportunity for me to really let the young folks know how much they mean to me. It was my soul food.
Each Board member go their own warm fuzzy, too, as did our special guests.
After I was done, many of them came up to me and gave me a hug, or told me about the impact I'd had on their lives or what Team TADD meant to them. I was so touched. For some of them, to open their hearts to me was a big step. For others, it was a natural progression. For me, it was a gift.
It reminded me of why I do this work. I have been getting so wrapped up in the politics, the difficulties, the challenges - not of working with the youth, but of everything else.
I don't know that I'll make it to Year 10. But at this moment, that doesn't matter. What matters is: for a group of young folks who meet once a week and have created some amazing projects, and even more wonderful relationships, Team TADD should be proud. Proud of who they are. Proud of their contribution. Proud of their visions. Proud for giving so much when it feels like the world gives so little.
I know that no matter where I go, what I do or who I meet, Team TADD will always hold a special spot in my heart. And that is a gift I could never have asked for five years ago!