This week I got shocking news at work:  my position is being eliminated and after my contract runs out in July, it will not be renewed.  I have a lot of feelings about this situation (mostly good) but I’m saving those for a different post.  Today, I want to express my gratitude for a community of people who have offered tremendous professional support over the past three years and whose gathering place is only a listserv.  Their name: the Baconites.  Anytime I have a question about K-12 grants, I know I can turn to them for the answer.  It amazes me how a positive group connection can build among people who’ve never met.

I have had the pleasure of meeting many of these Baconites (mostly at the AAGP Conference back in November)  in person, but not all of them.  After I found out about my job news, I emailed the group telling them, knowing that as K-12 grant writers they would understand.  Well, in the past two days, I have received a tremendous amount of support from them.  A dozen encouraging emails.  Numerous offers to share information about starting my own business (as of now, that’s my plan for the next step).  A phone call to let me know it was going to work out.  And today – a bouquet of flowers with the card, “Some encouragement beyond email.”  Flowers!  Who doesn’t love flowers?

I feel so lucky to have these people (some of whom I’ve never met) in my life.  I think grant writers are a warm bunch of people with good hearts.  I am grateful for the internet, for bringing us together, but mostly for the kindness of the human heart, which transcend sany distance…phone lines, computer lists, state borders.  And for the way that enough people telling you things will work out for the best really makes you believe it.