Yesterday was Thursday.  Every Thursday we have a volunteer orientation at noon and I have a meeting at 1:00. Every Thursday.  Yesterday, a young man walked into the office at ten minutes before noon and said, “I’m here for the orientation.” I gasped.  I’d completely forgotten about it and had just been planning to run over to the ReStore to take care of some things.  Obviously I stuck around and gave the orientation.

Then I went over to the ReStore.  When I returned to the office I was told someone was looking for me.  So I wandered down the hall to find her and gasped again when I saw her and my other co-workers sitting in the weekly meeting that I had forgotten all about.

For eleven years we’ve had a volunteer staffing our front desk on Thursday.  When Norm first started volunteering for us, he worked out on the construction site and quickly realized, building houses wasn’t his cup of tea.  So he took to the office where he could answer the phones, stuff envelopes, fold brochures, inventory computers, pick up the weekly donation from Nancy P’s, and do his crossword puzzles. My son even interviewed Norm about what it was like to live during World War II for a school project. Dependable, steady, Norm.

Norm is like that security blanket you dragged everywhere when you were a toddler; a bit of the familiar, a comfort.  He is quick to smile and is a fine storyteller.  He lost his wife shortly before he started volunteering for us and eleven years later still lights up when he talks about the things they did together.  Usually during the summer, Norm takes a month long vacation to drive down to see his son.  Norm’s vacation time always leaves us discombobulated and we long for him to return. He puts the norm in normal around here.

But Norm isn’t coming back from this vacation because after eleven years, he has retired from our volunteer program so that he can kick his feet up; literally, doctor’s orders. That is why I forgot about the volunteer orientation yesterday and the regularly scheduled meeting because nothing is normal on Thursday’s anymore.  We really miss Norm around here and are so very appreciative of the time he gave to us. 

Eleven years is a long time to work for one organization and when someone quits a company after that length of time it leaves a gap that is slow to heal in the days of those left behind.  But I’ll argue that the hole is more gaping when left by a volunteer.  Whereas a paid employee has monetary motivation for showing up for eleven years, a volunteer only has his heart and his will.  A huge, caring, generous heart that on its own makes him a special person to know, but after eleven years invested into the betterment of lives of Bend area families, he is truly extraordinary. 

So if you see us looking a little dazed, it might be that we are still adjusting. If you see tears pooled in my eyes, I’m probably remembering and missing Norm’s jolly smile.  Of course we will still see him now and again, but not at 10:00 am every Thursday. Not anymore. 

Norm, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts, for everything that you’ve done for us. And I feel so truly blessed to know a man of your quality.  God bless you, Norm.