The Editor: Days 746 and 748: 5 Minute Freewrite: Tuesday and Thursday- Prompts: trophy and retirement

Image of my 1st Place Baking Contest Trophy taken by me @justclickindiva

@Zeldacroft

@freewritehouse

Day 746: 5 Minute Freewrite: Tuesday - Prompt: trophy; AND
Day 748: 5 Minute Freewrite: Thursday - Prompt: retirement

Isn't it a nice-looking trophy? I won it last month at my family reunion. First time in 10 years I had the time to cook and enter a dish in our Family Reunion Bar-B-Que Cookoff Contest. My item took 1st Place!

Why it took me so long, you ask? Well you see for the past 10 years I've been busy behind the scenes serving as coordinator of the family reunion:

• quarterly newsletter;
• family history research and org charts distribution;
• registration database for 750 family members,
• senior appreciation day;
• souvenir booklet; and
• fun day souvenir gifts and entertainment for kids.

All the while holding a full time job. Cooking side dishes and entering baking contests was a time luxury I couldn't fit in. There were years where I would be printing out material as we were loading the vehicle to get on the road headed to the reunion. But mostly, I was intimidated to enter the contest that was dominated by the men.

All the work I did gladly for the family. Several years ago, I retired from my career of 35 years. However, last year, I retired from half of the duties for the family reunion. I then suggested a junior reunion committee made up of young adults start shadowing and training to take over the committee. Since I love to write, I continued producing and distributing the quarterly family newsletter and a few other duties for family history research.

I was so relieved when I made the announcement last year. I waited, but no mention of appreciation for my past contributions to the family was made. Oh, well, inner satisfaction in knowing I did the best I could for 10 years and helped produce a great reunion would have to suffice.

After receiving my trophy at this year's reunion, I had time to relax and reflect on my win. With it proudly displayed, an extended family member approached and asked what the trophy was for.

Before I could respond, she said, "I was told I needed to talk to the person who sends out the newsletters."

"Is there something wrong?" I asked, telling her my name.

"I don't see my family's information in it. My son was born last year, and my uncle passed away too. And I saw someone with a souvenir booklet and family history chart. Don't know why our family keeps getting left out," she continued.

"Well, did you send the obituary information to the editor? I asked.

"No. I haven't been getting the newsletters, so who would I know to send it to," she said with a frown on her face. Her hands now in the air as though I'd just asked the dumbest question. "And I didn't see any information on our family in the ancestry charts. But my sister was supposed to send it in," she retorted, as her voice was beginning to rise.

Sensing the situation was about to escalate, I tried to defuse it by saying, "I see. Maybe your email or address changed? And have you filled in your information on the family registration form at the registration table?"

"Yes, my email changed. No. I haven't filled out anything. As I said, my sister was supposed to do that," she continued.

"Hold on a moment. Let me find the registration book. Just write your information here. and I'll make sure it's taken care of," I said quickly.

Just as the young lady was about to add other issues to her list for me to resolve, another family member joined us.

"Good, I see you found the newsletter editor," She does a wonderful job taking care of family information for us, so just tell her what you need," he said, then walked away.

I turned around to reach for my folder for paper to jot down her complaints. When I turned back, the young lady had moved on.

The sun was shining, kids were playing in the moonwalk, and everyone was laughing, eating, and having a good time. It's one thing to retire from your career; but it's a whole other matter to retire from your family reunion!

I looked at my trophy and chuckled.

Thanks,
@justclickindiva

Happy rest of the week everyone with whatever you are working on.

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SOURCES:
a) JustClickin logo created at CoolText.Com
b) Unless otherwise noted, all photos taken by me with my (i) Samsung Galaxy 10' Tablet, & (ii) FUJI FinePix S3380 - 14 Mega Pixels Digital Camera
c) Purple Butterfly part of purchased set of Spiritual Clip Art for my Personal Use
d) All Tribe logos used with permission of Tribe Discord Channel admins.

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