My last "cuppa"...........

5/27/11........at Houston High and in a special "gift" mug from Traci. "Friends are like flowers; you get to pick 'em!" How grateful I am for the HHS folks that "picked me!" It's been the relationships within these school wall that have made this last "work" season so special for me. It all still seems somewhat surreal.

I'm sure when I close the reference library door for the last time, a part of my heart will just chip off and reside there. It hurt just to take the Mrs. Liles sign down---like ripping off part of my identity. "Miss Dotsy" for 21 years as a pre-school/kindergarten teacher (and university tenure) and Mrs. Liles for the last 21, as a librarian was who I was.....a working woman.

The school farewell gift was a perfect remembrance----an Arthur Court chip and dip with horses, representing not only the mustang symbol of HHS but symbolic also for this born and bred Kentucky gal who is leaving. As I drive off in my silver "old lady" Cadillac, I'm sure someone is waiting in the distance for slot #1 in the front parking lot facing east. I just hope they enjoy their tenure as much as I have.

Saying Good-by

5/24/11 At the high school level, retirement parties are simple affairs, usually done at a faculty meeting with some cake and punch. And maybe that's a good thing because then the emotions don't take over.
But sometimes when an E-Team (encouragers, extraordinare) gets hold of an idea, surprising things can happen. Food and fun is shared and a good time is had by all. The fun overshadows the saying good-by. When you've shared life with folks through one of the toughest seasons of life, it's hard to say farewell, even when promises of keeping in touch are on one's lips.

.....I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15)

So to these stalwart faithful peers, I say adieu, which translates to "God be with you," because it's too painful to say good-by.