Sunday selections #774.

Sunday Selections was originally brought to us by Kim, of Frogpondsrock, as an ongoing meme where participants could post previously unused photos languishing in their files. Huge thanks to Cie who gave me this wonderful Sunday Selections image. 

The meme was then continued by River at Drifting through life.  Sadly she has now stepped aside (though she will join us some weeks), and I have accepted the mantle. 

 

The rules are so simple as to be almost non-existent.  Post some photos under the title Sunday Selections and link back to me. Clicking on any of the photos will make them embiggen.

 

I usually run with a theme.This week I am stepping well outside my comfort zone.  This post is all about me.

Most of you know that I have been volunteering with Lifeline Australia (a telephone crisis support line) for a very long time. My parents made clear to us when I was growing up that we had an obligation to contribute to the community as they did, though how we did it was our decision.  Volunteering with LL is one of the ways I choose to give back.

Last month our local centre had an awards night.  I usually avoid them, but it was made clear that they really wanted me to attend.  So I went, despite it being after a shift when I was already very tired.

And received not one but two awards. I was really appreciative, and embarrassed.  I suffer (quite badly) from imposter syndrome (I am convinced that sooner or later they will 'get wise' to me and throw me out) and prefer to fly under the radar.  If you embiggen the photos you should be able to read the wonderful text.

The first award is essentially a longevity one.  I described it (remember that imposter syndrome thing) as a slow learner award.  I have been privileged to be on the phones for over 26 years now.  It is not easy, but so worth while.  And rewarding, despite the fact that I have wept with and for our callers and these days often retire to bed when I get home from a shift.

 

 The certificate was given to me already framed.  I have no intention of hanging it up though.

The second was an award which I shared with other people for supporting other counsellors and the callers.

With this award I was given a beautiful wooden bookmark - with a sulphur crested cockatoo stamped out of it.  They know my tastes don't they?

The card under it came with an olive tree seedling.  Everyone who attended was given one and I hope to make mine grow.

Staying out of my comfort zone I have included a photo of me (lots and lots of photos were taken) with two of the staff members.  I am the one in the middle.

 

 

Grueling as it can be, I hope to continue volunteering here.  I have never come away from a shift without being humbled at our caller's resilience.  Many of them have and are going through things that would have me velcroed to the carpet under the bed refusing to come out.

I hope you are appreciated this week, and that you deal with it better than I do.