Today was my last day at one of the best jobs in the world. While it was hard to say goodbye, I am at peace with my decision to take a leave of absence. This morning I was doing great with checking things off my “to do” list. I was all business. While some students brought cake and brownies to celebrate my last day, they seemed like it was just another day – is it Friday yet? But at the end of second period, they quietly slipped a card onto my desk. What followed could have been one of those Hallmark commercials. When I looked at the card from the seniors and the heartfelt good wishes from the students in the Symphony Orchestra, it touched my sensie heart and my eyes filled with tears. The card they got me said this:
It’s a comfort to know there are heroes among us –regular people, just like you – willing to do what they can to make the world a better place
Heroes give instead of take. They act instead of talk. The step forward and do the hard and unseen jobs, to give the best of themselves – measuring their own success not by wealth or comfort, but by the lives they touch along the way.
That’s what heroes do – and you are one of those people. maybe you don’t think of yourself that way – but that’s what you are.
And I just want to tell you how grateful I am to know you and to know that there are heroes like you in the world.
(J.F. Peterson)
If anyone ever doubts that our future is in good hands, just come visit the students of Timber Creek and you will be reassured.
Still glowy from the student love, I drove over to Tampa to get my students registered for All State and I was hit unexpectedly with all of these sweet memories from being there with David last year. I remember him learning to say “Bravo” when an orchestra was especially good and writing his congressman after hearing the speaker in the general session talking about the importance of music in the schools. I remember how cool it was to have my handsome husband out there supporting me, when I was nervous about a session where a master conductor worked on my technique in front of a large roomful of people. When those memories first hit, I started to be sad about being alone this year. I wondered if this was going to snowball into missing my students and job, turning this into some type of emotional meltdown. But, instead, my heart was filled with an incredible warmth and gratitude like I have never felt before.
If my time on earth ended right this minute, I would go out as a person who knows that she has been generously blessed. I have had a great career, amazing colleagues, the greatest principal that any teacher has ever had, the most amazing, talented, bright, funny, and wonderful students…I’ve had the big love – a love affair with a guy that could melt my heart with his blue eyes…I got paid, back in the 80’s to sing and play keyboards while wearing a black leather skirt…I have felt my heart expand with love for my two absolutely gorgeous and intelligent daughters…I have connected in my life to a huge community of students, parents, church members, choir members, and Facebook friends..I have felt the unconditional love and acceptance of family and friends…I have grown with each passing year in my walk with God…I have written a book…and I have been given the gift of being able to tune in and listen for God’s will for my life.
It’s funny, we want the good things in our life to last forever and we don’t want even a moment of one bad thing. But I am grateful for every minute of every good thing and also for the way that every bad thing has shaped me.
Thank you God, for blessing my earthly life with Heavenly love.
God in the City 