24 workdays--to be exact

April 2020--I'm heading into my last days of full-time employment--24 days to be exact.

Deciding to retire was a decision I made in the fall. I had been thinking about it for a while but wasn’t sure exactly when I’d do it. Then one day, bam, I picked the date. It just popped out of my mouth. I’ll admit I made the decision rather hastily based more on emotion than logic and reason.

There are days I know I made the right decision. They say you just know when it’s time. And I do think it’s time. Yet, there are other days I’m still so filled with enthusiasm and love for this job that I second-guess myself. I question the decision. I will miss 98% of the people and I will miss 99% of the work. (You'd be fibbing a little if you said 100% of either and you know it. 😉)

I have been a writer in a marketing and communications department at a community college since February 2006. I remember like it was yesterday going in for the interview and the then-director asking me where I saw myself in 10 years. I responded, “Right here.” Well now, it’s a little more than 14 years and I’m still right here, but, not for much longer—24 workdays to be exact. I’m laughing now wondering if I got the job because the then-assistant director and I share a passion for chocolate.

Writing always has been something I enjoy. To put together words and evoke emotion? Well, to me, there’s nothing better. Whether someone tears up or full-on cries, gets a grin on their face or laughs out loud, agrees or disagrees, learns something new or knew it all along—just having someone feel something when they got done reading what I wrote made it worth the time and effort to write it.

Connecting with people also is something I truly enjoy and this job gave me such wonderful opportunities to do that. I spent quite a bit of my time interviewing and writing stories about our successful students, fabulous faculty, sensational staff and amazing alumni. And while the finished project was quite satisfying, it also was such a pleasure to spend time talking with these people, hearing their stories and then sharing them. Sometimes I would think—wow, I get a paycheck for doing something I love.💖

I leaned on a woman in the department, who became a good friend. When you’re new, (or even after you’ve been around a while) you hate to keep asking the bosses questions for fear of them regretting this hiring decision. So I would go into her office to ask about a certain project, get a person’s contact info, ask what we do in certain circumstances and more. I’d say thank you. She’d smile and say, “Us writers need to stick together.” And we did stick together through thick and thin.

This department has some of the most talented print and web designers I’ve ever met. When I first started, they were very patient with me as I fumbled my way around trying to figure out the steps we were to take when working on a project. And, they got things done quickly when something got past me, sometimes with a shake of their head, but always with a smile on their face. Several have become friends and I’m grateful for them. And who has a better college photographer with the best eye? No one. He doesn't know it but he's been an inspiration. I love photography and although I’ve reduced my hobby to the use of an iPad, I hope my pending free time will allow me plenty of opportunities to pull out that 35-mm SLR and get back to it.

I’ve learned some new skills at this job, too. Like working with our incredibly talented videographer. I was given the chance to interview people for videos to promote an event, encourage donations, rev up registration, introduce a new class, spotlight a new program, or just to tell a story. It was one of my favorite parts of the job.

I found it exhilarating to craft questions I thought would produce responses that could evoke emotion from the viewers. And it was my hope those emotions would inspire action—like attending the event, making a donation, registering for a class—or sharing the video. I was nervous in the beginning. It wasn’t something I’d ever done before. But as I did it more, I became more confident. I had a real sense of the direction it should take so we could get just the right responses. Of course, with our videographer’s masterful skills behind the lens and in the editing process, the videos fulfilled their purpose.

Our college had two separate departments—one was Marketing and Creative Services; the other was College and Community Relations. The two offices merged when one director left. The Marketing and Creative Services director took over and the department would be known as Marketing and Communications. She took our department in a whole new direction—for the better, I might add. She gave us new opportunities and I was thrilled to see the changes. We were brainstorming ideas and our creativity was flowing big time. I truly believe we wouldn’t be headed in this new direction without her at the helm. And, I was appreciative of the times she let me know the work I was doing was of value.

Then, there was another change in 2016. I was relocated to the communications side of the department. I never was given a reason why, but I packed my office, moved and soon stopped asking. I'll admit I was confused. She was doing all these wonderful things in that office and I was being sent away? Would I still get to work on the videos I loved? Would I still get to work with the college’s Foundation, (which holds a special place in my heart)? Turns out it was the best move ever for me. Maybe she always knew that. And the answers to those questions I had was, “Yes.”

In my new role, I would have an opportunity to write even more. My title said it all: Writer. (My previous title was Publications Writer.) I asked if I could have a different title than just “Writer.” We tried for a moment to think of something else but it never panned out. Heck, I would have even liked “Senior Writer,” if for nothing else than a reflection of my age.😏

In this new position, I was working for an amazing woman—great personality, compassionate, fun and someone who has a true command of the English language—especially commas. (I’ve never been able to master commas. I usually put them where I pause when talking. I think she’s secretly going to miss editing my placement and lack of.) Not only was I writing more—news releases, articles for our employee newsletter, features for mailers, etc., I was helping with college events, like Take Your Child to Work Day, anniversary celebrations, tours for grade school and high school students, information tables at the beginning of semesters, community events on our campus, graduation and more. And I loved that she was giving me these opportunities.

We were the Communications team and remained in a different building from the Marketing team. There were three of us. And we had such fun working together. I honestly can say in the three-plus years I was there, there weren’t more than a handful of days where there was no laughter. It was a very positive atmosphere and that’s thanks to these colleagues/office mates. And, who can forget our occasional “Soul Train” Friday? (Certainly not the secretary in the office behind me.) I leaned on another woman in the office. Sometimes I would forget something and again, not wanting to ask the boss for fear she’d regret I got moved to her office, I would ask the other woman for answers. And she always came through. Because you know, us writers need to stick together.

Right about the time I was moving, a new assistant director was hired on the marketing side—a great addition to the department. Truly. We’d have many chats and I was always in awe of the ideas she has. She inspired me on so many occasions to look at things in new ways, try new things and write in new ways.

What’s sad for me as I ponder these last days—24 workdays to be exact—is that the coronavirus has changed my work experience—our work experience. Working remotely means for me no more laughter in the office, no more decorating our space for holidays or dancing to music on Fridays. (I wish we did that more!) Little did I know when I walked out of the office it was going to be my last day on that campus as an employee. I’ve set up a workspace on my dining room table and for the next few weeks--24 workdays to be exact--that’s where I’ll be, and that’s where I’ll retire from. I know exactly how all those graduates feel.

There is a lot I’m going to miss, no question. I’m going to miss the people in my department, the people from other departments with whom I’ve worked on projects, especially those in the Foundation Office, and all the people I’ve gotten to know over the years, like the wonderful women I would see every time I cut through the CTL. I’m going to miss the Bookstore ladies—who were always there to talk with and fill my need for a chocolate treat here and there. I’m going to miss the students, the events and the writing.

But, I’m looking forward to the next chapter and to see where this life journey takes me. I know the direction I’m headed in terms of geography and I’ve got an idea of what will keep me busy—my husband—we’ve got five grandchildren now—my family, my friends, old and new hobbies and of course, writing.

Right now I’ve chosen not to focus on the future—at least not yet. I’m going to give these next few weeks--24 workdays to be exact--150% of my undivided attention.

I'm just going to take it one day at a time…