Tired and Retired

Today I am grateful for laughter over and identification with some sitcom characters. And I am especially grateful today to have worked with our wonderful school nurse Judy for the last 13 years.

Judy is retiring. Today she will turn in her keys and take the last of her belongings with her. She will be missed. She has been amazing with our students and staff and her compassion, intuition, and natural ability as a nurse made it easy to work with her.

Thanks for all you have done for our school Judy, and also for those many conversations we have had over the years. I wish you the very best!

Another shout out to Sue, an English teacher at my school, who is retiring after 45 years of teaching in various schools. No, that is not a typo; 45 years! Sue is a master teacher and a good soul. Best wishes and thank you Sue!

Each of the last three years, co-workers I worked closely with and who I share mutual respect for have retired. They have been missed in numerous ways as the rest of us have made the transition to new people and circumstances.

Sometimes that is harder than I would like it to be. It is really a grieving process in ways. Good comes out of it too though, and we move forward. I remain so grateful and happy for those who worked hard and are now enjoying health and other pursuits in their retirement.

But today, as I wrap up year #16 at my current school and year #28 working in schools, I am tired.
The wisdom of those 28 years tells me that being tired at this point is typical. Experience also tells me that by mid-August, I will be ready to gear up for another year.

I am grateful for my job, challenges and all. I am grateful for my colleagues. I am grateful for today.