The next chapter

A letter of resignation...

Nearly five years ago, on a chilly spring morning, I pulled into the parking lot of a charming museum in a mansion on Lake Calhoun.  I wasn’t sure where to enter the building, and the lot was a ghost town.  I wondered if I had written down the wrong day.  As I walked toward the delivery entrance, admiring the led glass windows, one of the garage doors opened—almost magically.  A friendly man wearing a baseball cap appeared.  “You must be Chris… I’m Chris,” he said with an outstretched hand.  He confirmed that I had arrived on time for my first day of work at The Bakken Museum.

I have experienced a great deal during my time here.  I have learned so many new things.  There is so much that I will never forget.  The squeals of delight from the kids who experienced the jolt of a circle shock during a school field trip.  The look of excitement in visitors’ eyes as they discovered how the Electricity is Life machine worked during a Super Science Saturday.  Seeing grownups giggle and wince as they anticipated how their mouth would feel when they took a sip of electrified wine during Bakken Evening Out.  Watching an amazing volunteer charm a group of Red Hat Ladies during a house and garden tour.  The beautiful book displays assembled outside the library.  Smiling so wide that my cheeks hurt as I listened to kids tell funny stories about their inventions during a fundraising breakfast.  Trying to contain my laughter as Birthday Party kids all hopped up and cake and electricity bounced off the classroom walls.  Feeling so much pride that I thought I might burst as thousands of visitors came to see science theater, static demos, and dozens of super cool science activities from super cool staff and volunteers during 10 Best Days of The Bakken.

I will also never, ever forget the people who showed their support and love when I went through the most difficult time of my life last year—fighting the battle with ovarian cancer, and winning.

It is with a heavy heart that I tendered my resignation today.  I will miss coming to this beautiful building every day, and working with the many extraordinary people here.  Thank you for all you have done, and all you continue to do to make The Bakken a really amazing museum.  I am proud to say I was a part of it during my time here.

Warm Regards,
Chris