I got a personal email from Jane Goodall!

I still haven't posted anything since my return from the UK (I promise to post some thoughts on the trip and the show soon!) and one of the reasons for that is the increasing insanity at work. Remember how one of my staff quit? Well on her last day I guess she decided to take me and my boss down with her, by writing a scathing, mean spirited and plain untrue rant to the President of the organization about us. As if it weren't bad enough that she accused me of being incompetent, she also insinuated that I am a racist because I am "incapable of managing a diverse and highly talented staff." I have NEVER been so insulted in my entire life!

She thinks the absolute worst of everyone, and accused me and my boss of saying things we simply did not say. She twists everything around, and although I have the full support of the senior leadership, it is still disheartening and I have not been happy at work for the past couple of weeks.

Anyway, today I get home from a bike ride to find an email from Jane Goodall!! Not a form letter, an actual email from her secret personal email address! I nearly fell out of my chair. She wrote to say that she has finally wrapped up her new book and film, and "So. Going through email messages saved until I could breath. And want to thank you, Jessica, for all that you did to get our legacy donors to be so enthusiastic and supportive. You did a fabulous job. And Carol has been able to pick up the strands, in her gentle way, and thus ensure that none of your hard work goes to waste.

So a big thank you, and keep in touch.

Much love,

Jane"

I never had any idea that Jane really knew what I did or appreciated it, but I guess she does/did. That certainly makes me feel better.