Thank you!

This year has flown by and I cannot believe that it is over. It has been an amazing year, and one that I would not trade for anything in the world. You, the Job's Daughters of Virginia are the reason for making this the most rewarding year. I am truly thankful for your hugs, smiles and laughter.

On Friday, in our Grand Guardian Council meeting, I delivered my report on the year. I won't bore you with the entire thing - but I will share with you the Thank You's . . .

First and foremost, I want to thank the Daughters for their love and devotion to our Order. Bill has said this on a number of occasions, and it bears repeating: Without the Daughters, we’re just a bunch of adults sitting around with nothing to do. I have looked to them for inspiration throughout the year and every decision I made was done with their best interests in my heart and mind.

One of the hardest things to deal with as Grand Guardian is adults who have forgotten that this organization is about the Daughters. Sometimes those interactions left me grumpy and down. But one smile, one hug, one joke, one moment of laughter with a Daughter erased all of those negative feelings. I truly cannot express to them how much their love and support has meant to me all year.

I would not be standing here had it not be for the Daughters of Bethel 22. Bethel 22 has always been my family, when I had none. It pained me to see them struggle and know that there wasn’t much that I could really do to help them. Even though they could not travel with me as much as any of us would have liked, they were always with me in my heart. While I will miss traveling every weekend, I will be glad to getting to spend time with my girls.

Bethel 3 will always have a special place in my heart. The Daughters and adults have always welcomed me with open arms, included me in everything that they could and made me feel part of their Bethel. I will always be thankful for their friendship, hugs and loveable blond moments.

I have been privileged to travel with 5 amazing Daughters this year: Kesley Friend, Sammy Glaros, Sarah Montgomery, KC Conrad and Jessy Bradshaw. I have laughed til’ I cried with these girls and have had a great deal of fun . . .from picking on Bill on this 40^th birthday, his hair gel . . or just in general . . .to road trips and funny inside jokes . . .I have had a blast and thank them for their love and devotion to the Order. I am so glad that I got to share this amazing year with them.

As I said on Thursday night, it has been an honor and a privilege to be your Grand Guardian. My prayer for each of you is that your enthusiasm and love for Job's Daughters continues throughout your life. May you spread your wings and soar toward the heavens.

Love,

Mom Melanie <3