Gotta Love Support

I’m talking about GOOD support. Not like “I’m wearing my best underwear” kinda support, or “Hey! Let’s put up another 2×4 for more support,” support. No, I’m talking about that warm fuzzy “Nice job!” kind of support. Over the past few days, as news of my resignation from CKI VP has spread, along with the story, I’ve gotten random IMs, emails, and phone calls from people who just want to say hello and wish me the best. While I had never really lost faith in CKI, sometimes I felt like the leadership had lost focus. But, alas, I was wrong. Some of the things that have found their way to me are the following (names omitted):

Once upon a time there was Pete,
lived down where there was heat!
Did an awesome job in Indy,
till the conflict with Casey and Cindy.
Ran into some red tape,
too bad he didn’t have a nifty cape!
Although he wanted to be the veep,
we didn’t hear one frustrated peep.
Now he goes boldly on,
We should use binoculars, mon! (Jamaican accent)

“Pete Holiday for International President!”

“You have our district’s support, and our governor can’t wait to tell you in person!”

“Good decision…maybe we can use this to start sending a message to CKI about where its priorities should lie again”

” I was throughly impressed with your letter and support you 100% of the way. … All I know is that the people related to the International board are really going to regret not compromising with you and working this situation out.”

“Circle K’ers and Kiwanians who are in the organization for the right reasons will ALWAYS back you up on a decision like this.”

“Too bad management isn’t always rational or reasonable (trust me, it happens everywhere). But life goes on.”

“We appreciate all your hard work on the International level. This district is here to support your efforts in helping your club strengthen back up.”

“But, … I understand your circumstances, and I know that it was a difficult choice, and the noble thing to do.”

“I just wated to express my support for your decision to resign from the internaional board. I know it was a painful one for you to make, but I have a feeling you’ve done the right thing. … I know [my club] will be there to help you whenever you need it.”

Quotes have been anonymized as I’ve not asked for permission to post them.

One of the greatest things about the support I’ve been getting is that a good portion of it has been from people who aren’t close friends of mine. They’re from people who have no obligation to support me or say nice things. They’re from people who don’t even have a Pete-centric bias (like my close friends do).

Thanks y’all… hard decisions are made a million times easier to handle when you’ve got so many supportive people hanging around.