1990. My best friend Christina sat across from me in the Cherry Hill elementary school cafeteria. From her brown bag she pulled chips in a zipless plastic baggy and a bologna sandwich on Grandma Sycamore’s white bread. Before eating, she spread the flaps on her tiny milk carton so it was ready to go. To drink. With her bologna sandwich. I can comprehend the appeal of drinking milk with brownies or cookies but certainly not with actual food. Milk’s highest purpose is to accompany cereal, preferably Wheat Chex, Quaker Crunchy Corn Bran, or Big Biscuit Shredded Wheat smeared with strawberry jam.

I am writing to request a status change from volunteer (of 9 years!) to salaried employee. As you know, I am now coordinating all operations for two subordinate Team Members, which has brought many additional stretch/growth opportunities. I am grateful for these opportunities, but I have begun to realize that volunteer work (while totally fulfilling) is actually kind of burning me out.