The resource of special teams

Last November, I volunteered with the Post Falls American Legion's free community Thanksgiving dinner, something I'd done for many years. That day, one of the women volunteering in the kitchen introduced herself. When she began showing me where to find things I thanked her. Also adding that I was a longtime auxiliary member and had volunteered for various meals and events at Post 143 for more than two decades so I was familiar with the kitchen. She was curious why she'd never seen me at their meetings. I laughed and said I don't do meetings much anymore but happily pay dues and volunteer for various functions.

"Think of me as Special Teams. I'm not on the field for every play but I'm ready to volunteer my time and expertise as needed," I explained.

Since then, I've used the Special Teams analogy a number of times to articulate where I am in this season of life. I'm semi-retired from the workplace but still contracting work that interests me and volunteering where I have a passion. I've paid my dues, figuratively, and now I'm enjoying the flexibility to engage in places of my choosing. 

In a few weeks, I'll celebrate my 72nd birthday. Society would describe me and my peers as elderly, senior citizens, Boomers, Walmart greeters or old farts. The reality is we're Special Teams, with a lifetime of experience, expertise and skills. Importantly, we're a resource for the private sector and the nonprofit world. There's untapped potential for both to utilize our skill sets.

I have no interest in punching a time clock again but contracting project-specific opportunities is appealing. I now approach volunteering similarly.  

Special Teams ... put us in, Coach!

• • •

Happy birthday today to Jean Monaghan (92!), Mary Watson, Dan Taylor, Pascale Cafferty, Hayley Gabriel, Dea Lenz, Lori Rogers, Mark McWhorter, Chris M. Willoughby Sr., Mike Regusa (70!), Eric Haakenson, Jordan Ketzenberg and Tim Ketzenberg (40!). Tomorrow, Matthew Wild, Cheryl Burchell, Lori Hess, Patricia Keller, Cathy Biby, Tom Hearn, Krystal Arthur, Eric Haynes and Joey Grunden put on their party hats. Marilyn Desjarlais, Sandy Landberg, Patrick Lippert, Tim Skelton and Doneda Allen celebrate Friday. Dee Sasse, Steve Kane, Frank Jackson and Brittney Blaski will enjoy birthday cake Saturday. Mardel “Tootie” Reynolds, Martin Teall, Sue Barnard, Beth Bollinger, Star Hart, Corinna Whiting, Jana Pool, Kristina Lallatin, Caitlin Rielly and Larry Locke take another trip around the sun Sunday. On April 29, Steve Wilson, Tanner Mort, Chris Cooper, Stephanie Brodwater, Jeremy Jones, Patty Muhlhauser and Susan O’Neill make a wish. Bailey Jaworski, Michele Jensen, Amy Lyons, Christina Bollman, Keith Ekness, Luke Griffin, Louise Zimmerman and Jai Nelson will party on the last day of April.

• • •

Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com.