Naomi: What else would you guys like to say before we cut it off?
Brenda: Y’all are bomb diggity!
Naomi: Right? I’m so grateful for all the clients and all the staff. I learned so much. I just feel lucky, you know?
Kris: Yeah. Me too. You know, I still talk about At The Crossroads as if I worked there? [Laughter] I still do it. I’m like, “Oh, like my job?” And then I’m like, “My old job. I’m sorry.”
Brenda: Yeah, I always say “we.”
Kris: “Oh, we do that.” In present tense, right? Like, “Oh, we offer services. Blah blah blah blah.”
Naomi: Like, “We think about it like this.” [Laughs]
Kris: Right. “We meet people where they’re at.” [Laugther] I mean, I don’t because I don’t work there anymore, but … [Giggles]
Brenda: Remember when I … Go on. Sorry. Sorry.
Kris: Oh no, that’s okay. I was just going to … This is going to be my wrap-up, because this one is getting a little fussy. The fuss monster’s coming … It’s just been a trip for me to live in a different state and basically live a different life than I used to, and know that these were people that I cared about and that I shared space with and shared breath with and shared life with on the planet. I’m getting real [Laughs] philosophical here.
But I feel like ATC is with me all the time, and I just hope that I’ve made some equal impact in some way, not just for the org but for all those folks that I used to work with. I think about them often and wonder how they’re doing, and just feel so honored that I got to be a part of their lives. And they have been a very big part of my life in lots of different ways, and I hope that clients know that, and I hope that you guys know that, and I hope that just everybody that’s ever walked through those doors, whether it’s on Valencia or in the new space, that ATC is this incredibly special place that is always with me. Doesn’t matter if it’s past, present, or future. I just always feel like I’m there.
Brenda: Yeah
Naomi: Yep.
Kris: I just say that because I’ve been thinking about that a lot.
Brenda: That’s beautiful. That was beautifully said.
Naomi: I know. I’m snapping my fingers.
All: [Laugh]
Brenda: Yeah. I think about what you said Kris, and before you go … Sorry, we have more. I’m sorry. I keep interrupting people.
Kris: No, please. Please. We’re good.
Brenda: No, I know you have to go.
Kris: No, we’re good. Let’s keep this rolling. [Laughter]
Brenda: But I was thinking about how it took me about a year and a half to actually leave At The Crossroads. You know, they used to tell you, “Tell us in advance,” and then I gave them like a year and a half in advance. And every time I told Shawn that I thought I wanted to go back to school, that I thought I was going to be leaving, and I would cry. I would cry so much in our meetings, because I was … I don’t know. It made me really emotional, but I knew I had to leave, and I knew I had to enter the next chapter, you know?
I love being connected to At The Crossroads, because I still think that I’m there half the time, and like you said, it’s past, present, future, and it’s the foundation that I stand on. I don’t think I’d be half the OT that I am now if it wasn’t for all those interactions and all of that work that we did together, including not only having wonderful clients, but I think just working with such wonderful ladies like yourselves, guys, and Ivan and everyone at the time that was working there. It was just so magical. It was magical. It was a lovely time.
