Thursday, June 1, 2017

My First Day of Retirement


I haven't painted or written on my blog in over a month... 
Life has just... well it's just kept me from it.
😊It's at the end too, but just in case you don't make it to the end... 😊

I've been retired now for about 24 hours.

Has it sunk in?  No.
Am I completely emotionally drained? Yes.
Have I got my thoughts about it together? No.

I've been shown so much love.
I have felt so humbled and so honored.

I have always believed that writing is the physical act of organizing thoughts, and right now my thoughts are a scattered, jumbled mess.
Honestly, I don't think I'm quite ready to gather them.

So... for today, I'll let pictures rather than words tell the emotions.

















It began before I was prepared for it (or I would certainly have worn something besides a school t-shirt and jeans!) when I received appreciation for my work with the intern program from the University. 


Oh, how I love working with interns, and how many have become wonderful teachers!

Whenever anyone would say, "You can never be replaced!" my reply would be, "Then I've failed as a mentor because I've worked really hard to train countless young teachers to do just that."

...With my two interns from this year.  They are going to be such fine teachers.







My district provided a beautiful banquet to honor retirees.

I got to invite my most important people to join me.
Of course, my favorite...
He really is the best.


My dad. He's 90.
So glad he could come.
He and my mother taught Agriculture and Home Economics for 20 years.
My son and daughter-in-law.  

I missed having my daughter and son-in-law. Maryland is just a little too far away.

My people...
Melanie - my 4th grade teaching teammate, my friend
Mona - our school secretary, my friend
Julie - my 3rd grade teacher down the hall, my friend





My assistant principal came to support me. Love her so.
Wow... once my fourth grader, now a teacher and mentor herself.
 My former principal, now assistant superintendent.  I learned so much about professionalism from him.
My first principal, way back when I was just a student teacher.  He took care of me.  
 Then...When I got to the school early the next morning...
This was right in front of "my spot."


Later that day...

Surrounded by 56 of my favorite people.
To reveal this...

And just when I think I cannot possible cry any more...
Click for a little video of this...
love, Love, LOVE!!
These people... my school family!
Love them so...
After I warned that if they ever noticed the stone missing, they might think to check my own garden at home...

At our fourth grade graduation, they presented me with another to keep...
... and yes... I cried again...

 

8 comments:

  1. How lovely for you to have such a wonderful send off! And the garden they created is a touching idea. I'm sure you will miss everyone. Here's wishing you a joy filled retirement!

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    1. Thank you, Sara. Reading your blog posts from beginning to end were an inspiration to me. I'm sure that wasn't their intent as you wrote them, but watching you live your daily life as a someone who woke up and got to choose what you'd... your farm attempts (with guineas)... your gardening... your cooking... your long walks with dogs... your creativity (with glass work)... your hobby (photography)...
      Although we're in far corners of the world, I loved stalking you... um getting to know you...
      Now... let's see what life holds for me!

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  2. Wow, that is a wow, what a super way to retire and show the LOVE. Got to tell you that it took me 3 years to figure out I was retired. And today, I don't know how I ever had time to go to work!! Now is it all about exploring the next chapter and enjoying each day one moment at a time with the ones you love. It's about being able to put them first. It sure is going to be fun to watch where you put all that energy and creativity and I am glad I get to go along on the journey. Congratulations!!

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    1. I hope it doesn't take 3 years, but so far I just feel like it's been Saturday... for 3 days in a row!

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  3. Such a wonderful story you have shared, the lovely pictures are accompanied with your lovely writing as well. All those beautiful people will always remember you and cherish your contribution as a teacher, that is the beauty of retiring as a teacher!

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  4. Such a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing. Warms my heart.

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