Preparing for retirement from teaching

It’s been very busy lately:  preparing documents for retirement; clean-up resources and personals at school; preparing files to share with colleagues;  in addition to all the family activities:  today, my daughter finalized the purchase of a home!  My youngest daughter is currently flying from home to a beautiful destination for a holiday-break.  Just last week, we celebrated a wedding shower;  and two weeks before the shower date, we celebrated a gentlemen’s party for Daniel.  Soon, we celebrate a 95th birthday party for my mom, followed a week later (for my nephew) a “stag-and-doh”.  Add the above to the playing I am doing - and wow, it’s busy.
     This week Stacey Mansell, with the help of arts department colleagues are arranging a party for me, to celebrate my retirement.  I am pleased and also sad to go.  I plan to bring my accordion to play a bit at this party.  It’s my way to say thank-you.  Last week, at the RAP Grad, I was giving flowers, and a few kind words were shared by Music Council president:  Sierra Gazmen.  This week, some additional cards and gifts have been given to me by students.  Everyday, my colleagues, or secretarial staff members, or students share comments about my upcoming retirement.  It’s an exciting time for me, but as mentioned already, it’s a sad time too.  I have been teaching for many years, and it’s something that I have dedicated a lot of time to developing, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly!
I took teaching seriously.  It was something I deeply cared about.
     I decided about seeking retirement way back in November of 2017.  I’ll probably remember this date easily because it was the day after Wayne Hill’s funeral, on a Friday.  And, the next day, Saturday, I was attending a musical rehearsal at school, in the morning, “Bah_humbug”.  While driving to St. Elizabeth, the idea about Music Alive festival enters my mind.  It was this last Saturday of November that began my new journey.  Over the next few months, the necessary steps, conversations, paperwork, applications, reference letters, and meetings would take place.
     About a month ago, I was looking ahead at how far-away the final day of school was:  40 days.  And now, it’s two weeks away!!!!!  There is still so much work to accomplish at school before I officially leave, submit my keys, and say good-bye to teaching.  Although I am sad, I feel that I am ready.  Three years ago, I resigned from the Arts Headship at school.  I did not have any regrets about that decision.  I was ready for that change.  Today, I feel that I am ready for this next chapter in my life.  As I look back on my career, I feel a sense of gratitude and appreciation for having enjoyed so much joy in this teaching career.  I was, and still am very blessed.
Bye for now.