On the Road Again
“On the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I can’t wait to get on the road again”
Hadn’t thought much about this song until recently when my daughter asked if I had heard of someone named Willie Nelson, who was staying at the hotel where she works. “Really,” I thought to myself. “Am I that old?!”
I thought about the song again as I was writing this blog, because I often say “I can’t wait to get on the road!” In my job, I have the joy of getting on the highways and country roads, meeting with our affiliate board members, listening to donors share their stories about why they give and visiting our nonprofit grantees.
Yes, it truly is like “making music with my friends.” I just picture Willie and his buddies, doing what they love, discovering what they can create together and the fun they must have doing it!
My recent playlist included road trips to Lenoir and Edgecombe counties.
In Lenoir County, I joined Regional Director Kim Ball and our Lenoir County Community Foundation Board President Adrian King, to hear from passionate Donna Hardy, executive director of the GATE, about the much-needed educational and counseling programs for youth.
A conversation with a long-serving affiliate Lenoir board member Kay Harrell energized us with dozens of her ideas about how to tell the story of the community foundation to inspire local giving. She epitomizes what it means to be a life-long servant leader.
A couple of days later, it was on to Edgecombe County where I enjoyed a visit with Regional Director Kelly Lee and Ron Green, chief professional officer with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tar River Region. This is where we saw programs in action, with an emphasis on “action!” We witnessed children and youth on the basketball court, doing arts and crafts and listening to a live performance by a renowned folk artist. It was all music to our eyes and ears. Ron’s love for the “orchestra” of young people who surround him is palpable.
So, yes, I get to make music with my friends and I just can’t wait to get…
“On the road again
Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again
And I can’t wait to get on the road again
The life I love is making music with my friends
And I can’t wait to get on the road again!”