February 4, 2007

One of the reasons that I think CPR has been so blessed is because of the strength and commitment of our volunteers. From our head #1 volunteer, a/k/a DH Wayne Ezzell, to those of you who have just joined, I want to say thank you. Without your involvement, CPR would not exist and would not be growing by leaps and bounds. We have so many wonderful people that I can’t even begin to thank everyone individually. So.....here’s a huge THANK YOU to you from me. For what you have done, for what you are doing and for what you plan to do.

I would like to tell you a bit about one volunteer. Her name is Sue Wortman. Sue first came into my life in January of 2003 when she applied to adopt Dante, a black standard poodle in foster care with Ronna and Peggy in Atlanta. It was a good adoption, one of those that falls into place especially when Sue needed to make a fast trip to Georgia to assist with the birth of another grandchild and so was able to meet/greet Dante in his foster home.

I didn’t hear much from Sue after that for a while. It was about a year later that she called and said she wanted to visit and to bring Dante to let me see him. I was delighted and she came over and we visited. It was great to see her and to fill her in on what we were doing. Sue was already volunteering a tremendous amount of time and energy with a horse rescue group near her home so I didn’t think much of her inquiries about CPR life.

A year later, in September of 2005, Sue asked to join our volunteer activities. I hope she is still pleased with that decision.

Since that time, Sue has functioned as foster home, reference checker, home visitor, transporter and adoption counselor. She has become one of our most active volunteers, spending hours of her time and tons of talent in matching applicants with homes. She’s volunteers hands on here at Dreamweaver Farms, holding and cuddling babies, brushing and calming scared adults and helping with all our chores. Sue always does this with a smile on her face and a song in her heart. I’ve never seen her not smiling.

It’s amazing when you consider it – because Sue has faced a whole host of physical challenges that would put most of us out of commission for years, if not our entire lives. Sue is a 12 year breast cancer survivor, suffers from scoliosis since her early teens and has been under the knife to correct problems in her knees. She’s also had her gall bladder removed. Instead of giving in, Sue gets going. She told me recently that when faced with problems, you can either give up, or get up. She chose to always get up. Suddenly my petty complaints about the cold weather and how grumpy I was about having to be out in it were just that – petty.

Last year, Sue’s husband nominated Sue for the Susan J. Gloeckler Memorial Award, presented by the Roane County Humane Society, to members of the community who have made a difference in the lives of companion animals by giving of themselves. A whole committee of animal lovers recognized Sue’s devotion and dedication. She won.

Sue has been married to Gary Wortman for 39 years. When I asked Gary what he wanted the world to know about Sue, his answer was simple and immediate. “I love her.” It takes very special people to sustain a love affair through 40 years.

Horsewoman, dog lover, cherished volunteer, grandmother, mother, wife and friend. Sue wears many hats, wears them well and with pride. I am glad she chose CPR as one of them.