Well, last Friday was the end of a pretty long line! Over 20 years of teaching school is now a memory! Getting things "wrapped up" has been daunting, and filled with mixed feelings.

Many years ago I'd have given my left arm to leave this career....but fortunately, the kids and families at this school have been as good as you can get!! This has made my need to "stick with it" worth all the toil and effort!

The student and parents' notes to me, this last week were deeply touching, and reassuring that there have been valuable learning experiences in our class, and lives that were influenced.

One little girl in particular said she'd never had a teacher who could make math FUN until this year! (Who'd have guessed!!) I remember Mr. Clark in high school grinding my pencil (and his teeth) into my papers because he was so FRUSTRATED that I just didn't "get it"!!!!

Each child in my class has definitely impacted MY life! These kids were AMAZING and very perceptive! Children these days ARE!!! I'm sure all of YOU could testify to this!! I know MY grandchildren are the light of my life! The things they understand and can do, FAR surpass anything I could ever do at their ages!!!

So, I write to let you know I am MENTALLY celebrating a milestone in my life!!!! We think graduations are fulfilling! Well....this moment of RETIREMENT is passing up those feelings!!!

Look out fambly, and friends! I KNOW YOUR NUMBERS!!! I intend to make up for lost time!
Thank you for all YOUR encouragement and support! I can't even imagine where I'd be without YOU!!!!

Last Smile....

Time passes, as do our loved ones. I'll be eternally grateful for the SMILE she gave me, on my visit with our mom ("Nannie") just hours before the stroke which took her life occurred. That SMILE would be her last.

She was getting pretty confused and disoriented, but was trying her best to be cheerful and make me feel like it was important to her that I came to see her. She was pretty emphatic that she wanted me to pack her clothes, and help her put on her shoes, so that she could get down to State Street, to go home to meet Daddy. She even asked if he knew that I was there. (Somehow I think that HE WAS...nearby).

Today is Mother's Day, and if the Heavenly Father lets his daughters who have returned Home, get a glimpse into our mortal musings today, I HOPE "Nannie" (and Grammie Rosse'!) know how VERY MUCH they are LOVED!!!!

Happy Mother's Day! I miss you (both) so VERY MUCH!