INCREDIBLY HONORED

I'm not good at talking about myself and tend to downplay any recognition I get but I can't let this opportunity pass by without putting it here. Part of the reason I blog is to have a place to record memories and this is one I want to remember for a very long time.

I found out in March that I was being nominated for a Community Gem award. It's based on this book and you can read about the award & program here. I received the letter of nomination those I work with at the hospital sent in for me and I was touched beyond words. Tears were literally streaming down my face as I read it and it dawned on me that I do more than I ever give myself credit for. Seeing myself through their eyes was incredibly enlightening and while I still don't give myself enough credit [but does anyone, really?] I am becoming much more confident in my accomplishments. I've thought long & hard about sharing that letter here and given I've had it for about three months, you can see that I've really struggled with that decision. However, like I said earlier, this is a place where I can record things to look back on and feel this is a very important piece of who I've become and the direction I'm heading.

The Child Life Department at Christus Schumpert Sutton Children's Medical Center would like to nominate Cyndi for the Community Gems Award, presented by Clarkes Jewelers and The Community Foundation. The impact Cyndi has made over her time as a volunteer at Sutton Children's as changed lives. Her caring spirit, compassionate soul, gentle demeanor, giving heart, patient persona, and loving personality are so welcomed and appreciated in our facility. Cyndi constantly exudes the spirit of volunteerism. She has a passion and charisma inside her for the patients and families and she selflessly gives back to others.

Cyndi has contributed more than 500 hours to our hospital as a volunteer over the past two years. Her participation goes beyond her one to two weekly shifts to include special events, holidays, and many other activities. She truly epitomizes the spirit, kindness, selflessness and compassion that is often so hard to find in our busy, fast-paced world. Her commitment to children and families in our community is personified in her dedication to any and all events and activities that are provided at Sutton Children's. It is even impressive that her convictions have grown our volunteer participation by gaining volunteers that are her family members and friends. she has encouraged her husband and step-children to connect to the mission of helping children by establishing their own holiday traditions that include giving back to the patients and families. her family spent Christmas Eve at the hospital wrapping gifts so that all patients and siblings would have Christmas presents from Santa on Christmas morning.

She believes in educating the community about children and children's issues. she and her husband volunteered at the Kid's Hospital tent at the Red River Revel to inform children about hand-washing, safety, and healthy living. She is an advocate for keeping children and teens as the focal point for the Sutton Children's Women's Council. She serves as the Women's Council President and has even met with the hospital's CEO to promote programming or kids and teens. Collecting donations, soliciting contributions to the hospital's auction, serving as a sponsor of the hospital's fundraiser, and bidding on items to increase participation in the event clearly communicate her convictions and passions are displayed not only through her words, but more importantly through her actions.

Cyndi has a gentle, quiet spirit and much prefers to be in the background. She can overcome that desire if stepping up and out will make a difference for a child and family. Her gentle voice grows with vim and vigor when she talks about her involvement with the children. She constantly looks for ways to help others engage and participate in activities and events that will make a difference for kids! Our department supervises an teaches Louisiana Tech University practicum students and Cyndi always contributes a supportive and encouraging word to help "build up" the students. She is always baking treats for the staff "just because." We were reflecting about Cyndi, saying, "Her encouragement, support and dedication truly inspire us to want to do more for the children and families. When an individual selflessly gives of her time, energy, and talents for no pay, it makes you realize how important the work is that you are doing. She makes me want to work harder at my 'job' because she takes her 'volunteer job' so seriously." She is filled with conviction and commitment and that spirit of volunteerism is personified in her numerous actions an activities to benefit our hospital and community.

Cyndi's 'normal' volunteer shift takes place in the Intensive Care Unit, but her willingness to serve wherever she is needed has taken her throughout our institution to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unity, the Pediatrics Floor, the Pediatric Emergency Room, the dirty utility room to collect toys for cleaning, all over the hospital taking children on Mardi Gras parades and Halloween Trick-or-Treating, and even to our storage room to organize toys or inflate balloons for a patient's birthday. Additionally, whether she is bringing toys to the children, cleaning toys "behind the scenes," planning for a special event, hosting bingo, or even making copies and filing to aid in daily operations, Cyndi is an irreplaceable asset.

Staff members have noted, "Her care and concern for others is so genuine, we should all strive to show and maintain these qualities. She is an example for all of us. In the time I have known Cyndi, I have seen kindness and service in their truest forms...she does everything with a servant's heart." Still another noted, "She is incredibly devoted to serving the families. She is always compassionate and considerate of others and their needs. She has positively impacted the lives of so many people."

In summary, Cyndi's 'fans' are convicted, "She has that special something inside of her that knows how to give just what is needed, never too much or too little. Cyndi is a priceless jewel and a precious human being. Cyndi embodies the attributes and essence of a quality volunteer. She is one of a kind and we all feel privileged and honored to have the opportunity to work with her." Please consider this special woman for recognition as a Community Gem.

Very Sincerely,
Child Life Department at Christus Schumpert Sutton Children's Medical Center

Reading this truly touched me. When I started volunteering it was because I wanted something to do & I believed in the mission of the hospital. Over the course of the time I've been there it's become something I'm really passionate about and dedicated to. I've met some amazing people who I'm blessed to call my friends and I've had the incredible opportunity to be involved with so many inspirational people. That in and of itself is wonderful so reading this nomination was the icing on the cake. So unnecessary but fantastic at the same time.

I found out at the end of May that I was one of twelve women selected as the 2010-11 Community Gems! I would be featured in the July edition of SB Magazine and for the month of July I would have the honor of wearing (and sharing) "Gemma." What/who is Gemma you ask? Let me introduce you...

This, my dears, is Gemma. Isn't she gorgeous? She is so not my normal taste in jewelry (I tend to be more low key) so I felt pretty weird wearing her the day I picked her up. I've only worn her a few times (I've had her since the 29th) but each time I do it gets harder and harder to take her off. She makes me light up from within & seems to empower the confidence in me. I'm really looking forward to the next several weeks since I'll be sharing her with those that inspire me and hope she makes them feel as special as I think they are.

We picked up this month's edition of SB magazine yesterday and found this. I still can't believe it! Gemma also comes with a journal so I can document her travels and the effect she has on me and those I share her with. Crazy! I'm still pinching myself and figure the true amazingness of this won't hit me until after I pass her on to August's "Gem." Truly honored doesn't do my feelings justice.

If you made it through this epic post, thank you for indulging me. Talking about myself in terms of kudos is not my strong suit and I hope you know this is not to gloat or brag. I only want to document this incredible journey so I have something to look back on.