Some of you may remember that old Ricky Nelson song! Well, I went to a garden party recently. It was a very special garden party- it was for me! It was a garden party to celebrate.. my retirement! Last Wednesday, June 30th, was my last day to work.
Knowing how I love wildflowers, my work buddies got together and went from fields to backyards picking all kinds of wildflowers for the centerpieces.
I took all the bouquets home and saved as many seeds as I could. 
They know me well-their wishes say it all!
I am one of the lucky ones. I have been blessed to have a job I love, and work with the most wonderful people in the world. My last day the department surprised me by wearing t-shirts that said "We love Linda" , "We will miss Linda," and "Happy for you, sad for us." How do you say goodbye to a group of people who have been like family to you for so many years?
We have laughed together, we have cried together. We have shared stories, books and recipes. We have watched our children grow up together.
But, it's time for me to move on. It is time for a new chapter in my life to start. I am so excited about a new adventure, but I will always remember my family in GISD Technology. I love you guys!
So, what will you do now you ask? Well, right before my last day at work I got a letter in the mail informing me I was accepted into the Dallas County Master Gardener Program...so I am going back to class! I am a little scared, and a little nervous, but a whole lot excited! New chapter in my life--YES!
I took all the bouquets home and saved as many seeds as I could. They know me well-their wishes say it all!
I am one of the lucky ones. I have been blessed to have a job I love, and work with the most wonderful people in the world. My last day the department surprised me by wearing t-shirts that said "We love Linda" , "We will miss Linda," and "Happy for you, sad for us." How do you say goodbye to a group of people who have been like family to you for so many years?
We have laughed together, we have cried together. We have shared stories, books and recipes. We have watched our children grow up together.
And throughout the years we have truly cared about each other. I cannot tell you how much I am going to miss all of these work buddies that I think of as family.
But, it's time for me to move on. It is time for a new chapter in my life to start. I am so excited about a new adventure, but I will always remember my family in GISD Technology. I love you guys!
So, what will you do now you ask? Well, right before my last day at work I got a letter in the mail informing me I was accepted into the Dallas County Master Gardener Program...so I am going back to class! I am a little scared, and a little nervous, but a whole lot excited! New chapter in my life--YES!
"Don't cry because it's over...smile, because it happened!"
Doctor Seuss
17 comments:
Happy retirement Linda! How wonderful for you! How exciting that you are starting a new chapter in your life.
Thanks Susie. I can't imagine what it will be like to not get up at 5:30 and head to the office! I can have another cup of coffee in my pj's! :)
Good luck to you in this new & exciting chapter of your life! :)
Thanks Racquel! I hope to have more time to do some things for my Mom as well as some fun things I have never gotten to do before.
What a lovely personalized goodbye party they gave you. You can tell it must have been a great place to work, by the thoughtfulness of the people.
Enjoy your retirement, especially your new course, and of course the new relaxed morning routine, with pj's, coffee, and a leisurely garden stroll.
Congratulations on your retirement! It is going to be a really fun new adventure for you!
What a lovely party they had for you too!(-: I am sure it is hard to leave such a great group of friends. You will enjoy not having to go to work though(-:
Hi Northern Shade! I do (or did!) work with an incredible bunch of folks. It was hard to leave them, but time for me to take care of family things. I do look forward to that second cup of coffee, and truth be told--I will take a stroll through my little garden..in my pj's! :)
Cindee--I am really excited about not working and getting to do home things. Kind of like you said you feel in the summer. I am such a home body--I know I will really miss everyone, but enjoy my time at home.
Congrats Linda on your retirement. Now you will have time {sometimes} to do as you wish. How nice for your co-workers.
It is nice to sleep in sometimes. But not too late. lol
Hope you have a really good "schooling". That is very interesting.
Thanks Lola. I am such a morning person, I expect I will still be up early, out in the garden with coffee in hand! :)
What a wonderful theme for a party, I'd love to have one just like it. And that cake is fabulous! Enjoy your retirement. I think I'll do the same thing. I've always wanted to become a Master Gardener, so retirement sounds like a good time to do it!
MsRobin-it was a great idea! And they all went to such extremes to make it perfect. You should definetly check into the MG program. It is exciting, but I have kind of a funny feeling too knowing I am no longer employed! :)
Congratulations, Linda, and good luck in your new adventures in the Master Gardener program.
Thanks Pam! I am pretty excited about the MG program, but kind of scared too. I haven't been to a class in years and years!! :)
Retirement is such a big change in one's life but to have it marked by such a sweet and thoughtful party with some nice folks you'lve enjoyed working with must be the best. Good luck and enjoy the master gardener course! They'll love you there too. What a nice party!
That's great. Hope you enjoy your retirement--I know you will. I keep thinking about it but always decide to keep working.
Marnie
Tina, you are right about the change with retirement. I keep getting these funny feelings knowing I am no longer employed. I think I will get use to it, and I should LOVE retirement as I am such a home body, but still...one more thing in life is over...
Marnie, it'a a bit early for real retirement, but close enough and I need to help my Mom some now. Like I told Tina though..it's a strange feeling. Exciting, but odd to not be getting up at 5:30 and rushing to work!
Linda, Congrats on both your retirement and your acceptance into the MG program! I hope you enjoy the program as much as I have, it is time well spent.
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