It’s always hard saying goodbye. It’s been especially hard for me to find the right words (I think I’ve started, deleted and re-started this letter over a dozen times). Honestly, a letter just doesn’t seem to do justice to each of you, as individuals and a group, in the profound impact you have all had on me during my time as ZUM. Alas, the currents of life often times rush us along through the rapids without time for reflection or proper goodbyes. So I will make my best effort.
Thank you for your laughter, humor, motivation, experiences, perspectives, patience, trust and friendship. If ZUM is a community, you all are the beating heart. No matter where I go or where I have been I see a common thread. I see that beating heart. Connection, purpose, belonging…these are the basic things I think we all seek as people. And as I am leaving I can see clearly how you have provided me those three things in abundance. We all come from different backgrounds, different parts of the world, different fundamental life experiences. Yet circumstance has brought us all together. And it’s that common humanity that I see more then anything else. It fills me with gratitude and hope. I guess what I am trying to say is that I am continually humbled by how much I have to learn and it sounds cliche but you have all taught me so much. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
With love,
Jordan Sahlberg