A Week Has Passed and I Still Know Who I Am...

The promised identity crisis has not yet occurred. We have been out of school for one week and I don't feel any different. What I mean is it feels like just an ordinary summer. I think there may be something wrong with that.

Last Friday, June 5, my last official day of work, was such a busy day that I didn't have too much time to be sad. My "To Do" list was long and filled with examples of my OCD tendencies. Thanks to some help from my team, I was able to complete most of the items on the list but must confess that I brought home about 3 boxes of manuals and 2 cases of files to sort and reorganize. Well, what can I say?

Throughout the day, many of my colleagues stopped by to wish me good luck and try to make me cry but I was tough. I hate saying goodbye and this time it seems so much harder. These ladies have been my friends, mentors, models, supporters, comic relief, and sometimes my primary source of aggravation. I have spent time with each of them privately and within their teams and have the greatest amount of respect, love and admiration for them all.

But I held my tears until the only other remaining bodies in the building were the destruction crew. My emotional strength disappeared as I pulled my class schedule off the wall and locked the door for the last time. I had the painful thought that this closing door symbolizes the pre-mature ending of an important and meaningful season of my life. I was tempted to open the door back up and slam it really hard but decided that didn't reflect very well on my level of maturity.

This is just the beginning of a series of goodbyes and I expect that each will be difficult in its own way. The whole thing would be so much harder if not for the support of my family. For example, every time I leave to see someone "for the last time", Taylor says, "Don't forget to wear water-proof mascara." Ah, such profound words of wisdom from one so young!


PS. I was going to write a little about my replacements but it just doesn't seem to be the right place. I'm very excited about them, though, so plan on seeing them featured in the near future!