Incognito

Thursday – September 18, 2008

I went down to Wayne Middle yesterday to visit my former colleagues and friends. Since I am no longer an employee, I followed the directions for all visitors and went to the office to “check in” and get a visitor’s pass. I stood there for a few moments before the secretary, Von, recognized me!! She was on the phone and glanced up three times before she realized it was me!! As I told her, I’ve only been gone for a year and already forgotten! In her defense, my hair is longer, I have new glasses, and I have lost a little weight! I guess where some of them haven’t seen me for a while it was a big change. For me, the change has just been minute – I live with it daily!

Von wanted me to hang around and see what Loren – the principal – would say when he saw me. He was behind closed doors – nothing strange, so I waited. Mr. Rash, the assistant principal came out of Loren’s office, did a double take, smiled and said hello. Then Loren came out, nodded in my directions and then glanced over again before he realized who it was. Makes you feel one of two ways – gone and forgotten, or changed and simply not as easily recognized. Just like the old saying – out of sight, out of mind! It was great to see them. They all decided that retirement was being good to me! In most ways it is! Especially when I heard the kids, watching them push and shove, and the bickering back and forth over some insignificant problem – at least to adults but not to the kids – retirement is being good to both Bill and me! No more school related stress!!!!

I was graciously told by Loren that I did not need a visitor’s pass and that I could be trusted! So, I walked down to the building where my room would have been had I still been teaching, and as I walked down the hall, Paul, a science teacher we have worked with for years, barely glanced toward me and entered another teacher’s room. I’ve known Paul’s family for years – his sister and I were in the same class in elementary school and our fathers worked together. I walked over to the door and asked him if he was “high hattin” me and ignoring me? He said I just saw someone coming down the hall and didn’t pay any attention as to who it was! Sure!!!!

At least Sherry knew who I was – but she was expecting me! It was a good feeling to know that the changes that have occurred are favorable. Hair and eye glasses are “cosmetic” and may only make me feel better inside. The weight loss (as small as it has been) hopefully will take care of the potential diabetic problem Bill and I are battling! We’re eating (most of the time) low fat, no sugar, fresh vegetables all in smaller portions. Bill has also lost weight – yeah! He has become accustomed to eating the no sugar added ice cream!

We thought it would be fun to post a “before” retirement picture and picture taken this summer to let you all see if there is a difference!

Hope you all are having a great day! God loves you and so do we!