THE END of an ERA

A dream that began over fifty years ago came to an end today.  When I turned in my keys, I felt invigorated.  If only I could have somehow worked up a tear or two, maybe at least it might have looked better to others.  After all, I was the dinosaur on campus--one of the longest surviving soldiers in the trenches.  Would it not make sense to be sad to leave what had been my "home away from home" for so many years?

Today, my teaching career ended--a career I had dreamed of for many years.  Officially, it won't end for another few days, but for me it is over.  And I couldn't be happier about it.  They said I would know when it was time to go; and beyond the shadow of a doubt, I know that the time was right.  Will I miss the students?  Of course, I will.  Sweet girls spent days writing me notes and drawing posters on notebook paper.  Shy boys drew close for a quick hug and to say they wished that I would not leave.  The students I will miss, but I am overjoyed to know I never had to attend another faculty meeting or grade another paper, struggle to submit grades before the 4:00 a.m. deadline, or, heaven forbid, rack up professional development hours.

My future is bright with the hope of tomorrow.  I will watch cooking shows and do my best to turn out enticing casseroles and quiches.  I will read books again, and they will be books that I WANT to read.  There will be days that I will sleep until I am darn-well ready to get up, and sometimes I will shop until I drop.  Yes, the future is ripe with promise, and I am ready for the harvest.

What an exciting few days we have ahead of us!  Late this week, we depart on the trip of our lives to celebrate our 40th anniversary.  On the way to the airport, I will drop by my retirement party, eat a piece of cake, and spend a few minutes saying goodbye to some dear colleagues who have been a part of my life for many years.  Later that evening we will leave for London and an adventure beyond our current comprehension.  We will sleep on the plane and arrive Friday, June 1, at Heathrow Airport at approximately 4:30 a.m. Central Time.  That would be 10:30 a.m. London time.  Friends have advised us to spend our first day in London, Europe's largest city boasting approximately eight million citizens, riding the double-deckers to become oriented and fighting the inclination to go to our room and sleep.  Hopefully, we will be able to do this.  I am overwhelmed.  So much to do prior to leaving--cleaning out my classroom, finishing grades, saying goodbye, and what I can't wait for--turning in those keys that have been in my possession for so long.  That will be the icing on the cake for me--I will join the ranks of the unemployed.  Wow.  Sounds like a dream-come-true. 

My plan is to blog each day about our adventures and experiences, post pictures along the way, and keep family and friends updated on our whereabouts. 

Hopefully, I will be more faithful to this blog than I have been over the past four years as it lay dormant.  During that time, my life was consumed with the woes of the educational system--a whole 'nother story--and my only desire has been to return home at night, find a corner, get in the fetal position, and suck my thumb--not really--but I trust that a brighter future awaits. 

London awaits.  Cheerio!