Editor's Note: Bittersweet Blessings
My favorite Facebook activity of late has been the "Today I'm Thankful For … " meme in which you start each day through Thanksgiving by posting something for which you're thankful. It's been an incredibly positive experience, since I've come to realize that I could do that every day through Thanksgiving 2009, 2010 and beyond and never have to mention the same thing twice. (Thank you, God, for all your tiny miracles.)
But the one status update I'm not looking forward to is the one that I'll post Nov. 20, the day after this writing: "Today, I'm thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Abny Santicola for the past five years."
Abny, who has been with the magazine since 2005, starts a new job after Thanksgiving. To say that I wish her the best is one whopper of an understatement. Technically, I've been Ab's boss, but she really has been more of an editorial partner. She's worked tirelessly in helping shape the magazine, and to carry its voice and vision to our readers and out into the sector as a whole. She's been a consummate professional, and one whose name I've been proud to have printed alongside mine on the FundRaising Success masthead.
The magazine will miss her insights, her organizational skills, her ?talent. And though I know Abny and I will stay in touch, I'll sorely miss the day-to-day interaction, all the laughter, the occasional tears, the constant support and the deepening friendship that has become one of my life's greatest blessings.
All the best, Ab. May your new job bring you as much joy as you've brought to FS and to me, and congratulations on this next step along the happy path that will lead you to the great things that you no doubt are destined to achieve — both personally and professionally.
On the bright side, I'm happy to introduce everyone to FS' new ?managing editor, Janet Spavlik, who comes to us from our sister publications, Publishing Executive and Book Business. You can reach her at jspavlik@napco.com or 215.238.5317. I hope you'll all take a minute to welcome her to the joyous, abundant world of nonprofit fundraising.
Finally …
Welcome Christmas. Or Hanukkah. Or Yule. Or Kwanzaa. Or whatever you personally call this season of light and hope. And welcome again the opportunity to wish you all the very best as we come to the end of another year. I remain humbled and awed by what you do, and proud to be a part of it. Thank you for your continued support of FS and for the inspiring and vital work you do, for your part in making the world a better, safer, saner place. I wish you all peace. And joy. And love and light. I wish you an abundance of spirit and a dearth of darkness. And I wish you the courage to live and work boldly and with outrageous hope. Merry Christmas and blessed Yule from our family to yours.
