I have so much I want to share

 here on the ole blog...

But let's get to the most important info first - 

This.

This just wasn't that hard to do ...

My last time to walk out of my office...

for-ev-ah...

Mainly because of this -

Going back in the office caused my anxiety to go into over-drive and I knew I didn't want to get to the place I was some years ago when I was in the ER several times over one summer with various physical ailments [all caused by anxiety] and panic attacks that kept my heart racing. 

So when my request to continue working from home was denied we decided it would be best for me to go ahead and retire a year earlier than I'd originally planned.  

And yes - I know how fortunate I am to have that option.

But I've also worked 37 [THIRTY SEVEN] years to get here.

 

And as I told the counties I've worked closely with these last [almost] 20 years - DHR began as 'just a social work job' to me [we originally thought I'd quit and stay at home after 10 years] but quickly grew into a ministry and career that I am happy to be a part of  - I've worked in every area of the agency except child support and it feels good to be a part of one of the most important helping agencies in the state.

Here's a quick re-cap - >

 Colbert County DHR  

Adult Protective Services

[field placement]

Mobile County DHR 

Adult Services

[2 parts of the APS division at that time]

Lauderdale County DHR

Child Welfare Investigator and

Aid to Dependent Children / Food Stamps

Madison County DHR

Project Success

[a pre-curser to Welfare to Work]

Adult Protective Services

Child Welfare Supervisor

State DHR

Adult Protective Services

- Supervisor in the Governor's Special Project re: unlicensed assisted living facilities throughout the state, and 

Consultant for 13 - 18 counties, as well as

Policy Trainer for staff throughout the state...

Working at DHR has been [mostly] good... sometimes hard, but always rewarding

This little note has been on my desk for many, many years... as I've shared with others in the past - I've seen things most people don't want to think about...

And I have been blessed to work with some of the best social workers during my career!

These last [almost] 20 years have been filled with lots [AND LOTS] of travel to Montgomery where my office was based so I was a little happy to say that August 30th was the last night I would spend in Montgomery for the foreseeable future..

[A HUGE thanks to Madison DHR for giving me a spot to work in here at home!!]

My admin staff was wonderful to accommodate my concerns about being in the Montgomery office [where there's been more than a few positive diagnoses.]

We had my retirement lunch out on the patio, and do I look like a happy camper, or what?!? That's what three + decades of social work will do to you - ha.

But seriously, I told them there's a bit of that feeling when you come home from a really good trip and you realize that others are doing the exact thing today that you did just last week... and you kinda want to go back.... only NOT.

[But I so appreciate all the social workers that continue to help others on a daily basis!]

I am so fortunate to have had a wonderful career that accommodated our growing family and my need to get away from it all from time to time...

and I truly enjoyed my work as a trainer and policy consultant with each of the counties I've worked with these last [almost] 20 years - 

 But I'm ready to move on and am looking forward to a future without a schedule!

For those still in the social work world - I want to encourage you to keep on keeping on - each of you is making a difference in someone's life even when you may not see it. And I encourage you to be intentional about taking care of yourself - even if it's just taking the time to watch the fireflies with a glass of tea once a week or so... do something FOR YOU and you'll be able to continue giving to others. 

It's been almost a week of [not so] lazy mornings here at home - 

and I'm loving it so far [of course I've got a ton of things on my to-do list, but I'll get to those soon enough -

For now, I won't lie, 

I'm kind of wallowing in the timelessness of it all... 

[That's my new purse I got with the gift card from my division -]

But I AM trying to accomplish at least one task a day - ha. 

Still - I'm certainly enjoying being

 

Life is good.

Indeed.