My Last Day

Over the course of the past several months Mike and I prayed and had decided that come the holidays I would leave my job. I am so fortunate to have worked for 3 years at the church where I have also attended for the last 8 years. With our move, we are now an hour away from the church, which also means that my commute is almost 2 hours a day. Because of those two things, I would quit and try and find something closer to where we now live. That was all before I found out I was pregnant.

Recently, there were some changes in the department and I really wasn't needed as much as I was in the past so we, my pastor (who is also my boss) and Mike and I, all made the decision that now would be a good time to begin making the transition for me to leave.

Today was my last day. I had been anticipating this day for a couple of weeks but really wasn't sure how I was going to handle it. No one was at the office when I got to work so I had the chance to sit and remember. I thought of the friendships I would be leaving, the boss I had grown to love as a father figure, the atmosphere of excellence, even my desk. It was now empty except for the last list of things I had to do. I didn't realize I would be that sad but I was. Even when I said goodbye to my pastor I told him that I felt like I was going off to college to start a new life. I know one of the reasons it was so hard is because a handful of these friends came to see me in the hospital when the girls were born and were there with welcoming arms and heartfelt tears when I returned to work. These are the people who shared in my grief during the hardest time of my life. They are people I want to always remember.

Marilyn is one of my best friends so I know that there will be lunch dates and Saturdays spent together.

Megan, Weylon and Sandy work in the Communication department. Our desks were right by each other and they each hold a special and unique place in my heart. Plus, they are each amazingly gifted and talented!

Some of the girls (Kathie, Sandy, Megan, Karissa (who is expecting her own baby in 2 weeks!), Susan, Tina, Lindsey, Robin and Marilyn) took me to lunch today at Puffy Muffin. It is an institution in Brentwood, TN and a definite girly, girl place. A perfect pick for today!


I shared at my last staff meeting something my dad told me when I graduated from high school. He told me that life isn't like a book where there are chapters that have a beginning and an end. He said that life is more like a scroll, where a little bit is being rolled back and a little bit is being revealed. I feel like this is exactly where I am, in the "in between." Tomorrow will be my first day as a "stay at home mom." I am so excited about what these next few months hold for me as the nesting phase settles in, but am also sad to roll the scroll up on so many wonderful memories.

To each one of you who has been a part of my life at FBC--you mean so much, have cared so much and loved me well. You are more than a co-worker, you are a friend.