Gratitude

Jennifer Vanderau
Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter

(5/2020) There are times in my life when thank you just doesn’t seem like enough.

Gratitude is so incredibly important in this world – it might be one of the most important aspects of our lives, really – and yet recently, I don’t know if I can find the adequate words to truly express my appreciation.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, we have been doing adoptions by appointment and our animal care technicians have been looking out for our animals like usual.

Like everyone throughout the world, we’ve been worried. Worried about our own health, worried about our animals and of course, worried about the future – for everyone and for CVAS.

We’ve seen the stories – the massive layoffs that just keep happening, the overworked essential personnel from doctors and nurses to law enforcement and sanitation departments, just to name a few.

And the thing is at CVAS, we’ve "always relied on the kindness of strangers," to quote a pretty famous movie, and we worry that with the state of the world that kindness might just run out.

But there’s a funny thing about worry. It’s kind of ethereal, you know? Sure, in your head, it feels pretty real and strong and serious, but the truth of the matter is, worry is nebulous and hard to grab onto sometimes.

And it doesn’t have a whole lot of basis in fact. It feels like it does – and if that monkey voice in your head is the same as mine, it sure can convince us that it does – but worry actually steals a whole lot of energy for what turns out to often be a whole lot of nothing.

I found a great quote: "Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength."

Brilliant and so true.

And in terms of CVAS, it’s been proven to be accurate once again.

Because since the virus and this new normal we’re all living, we’ve seen a whole lot of people step up to help us.

I’m blown away by the folks who realized that we are still here, still helping the animals because the animals are still coming in to us and we still need support – and we’re getting it.

We got an envelope with just a $5 bill inside.

We’ve seen kids sending us what is likely their allowance because they want to help us help the animals.

We’ve had donors who aren’t in our database just send us money, apropos of nothing.

Our online supporters have been incredibly generous as well.

Because in the face of scary times, humanity really does shine through.

There are thousands and thousands of people every day who are, quite literally, risking their lives to help others. For as many of the "stay home" ads I see on television, there are countless people who don’t have that luxury.

Many of whom do it because they’ve been called to help. The faces of the front line health care workers are portraits in courage, perseverance and altruism.

It probably shouldn’t surprise me that there are people out there who don’t want to forget the animals in all of this, either.

My job at the shelter is essentially about asking people for help – be it adoptions or donations or volunteering. I put the call out and hope that it’s answered.

And when we do get a response, ironically, I find myself searching for the words to express my sincere thanks.

Because when I realize how many people support us, it can be a little overwhelming. When I realize that $5 in that envelope probably stretched an already thin budget, I’m rendered relatively speechless. When I think of the little boy who gave his allowance because of the homeless animals, I get choked up.

How are the two little words – thank you – ever going to sound like enough?

All I can do is hope the sincerely comes through. Because from the bottom of my heart, I truly mean it.

I am awed and touched and inspired by the generosity I have seen over the past few weeks. It’s given me the strength to continue the mission of this shelter when the worry monster comes knocking on my door.

It allows me to believe in the good that is out in this world, even in the face of uncertainty and a worldwide pandemic.

From all of us at CVAS, to all of the people who help us, thank you so very much.

You have done more bolster a little group of animals and people than you’ll likely ever know.

*****

Jennifer Vanderau is the Director of Communications for the Cumberland Valley Animal Shelter in Chambersburg, Pa., and can be reached at cvasoc@innernet.net. The shelter accepts both monetary and pet supply donations. For more information, call the shelter at 717-263-5791 or visit the website www.cvas-pets.org.