Notes and Goodbyes

Five years ago this month, I stopped working for Champions*.

(*Profits before everything else in the universe, including the kids.)

I'd enjoyed working there (mostly) for 12 years.
There was an excellent manager and person in charge of our little area. She was supportive, warm, good with kids, caring... the total package. That link leads to a little about Georgia, who was one of the best managers I've ever worked with.

Being in touch with her on Facebook isn't the same as seeing her on occasion, though.
I miss her. She gave me an excellent reference when I started with my current employer, though, and if she were still with Champions, would not have been able to. They do the same thing so many other chickenshit employers do and only verify that the person was employed by the company. Nothing about reliability or competence.

But if she hadn't quit working there, I might actually still be there myself. Although they pay shit wages, I enjoyed my job. I left solely due to a crappy manager. I'd still like to kick that bitch in the taco.

Ah well. Ancient history now. I left.
I landed in a special place, though.

Despite the organization I work for having, um,  some flaky people in and out of there (no one stayed a full school year in at least 8 years before I got there) the school personnel welcomed me with friendly faces and helpful advice and support.

The office staff and counselor at the new school were particularly kind to me.
They treated me like school staff. They were supportive, helpful, friendly and always willing to do a little extra when we were trying to locate a kid or figure out if one had been absent.

I always remembered to bring them a little snack the first day of school, made them cards and little crafts now and then, too.

So this year, of course, I won't be there to give them those little extras that cost me so little and meant so much to them. But because of how incredibly kind they have  been to me, I made them each a card. I have some candy and some little Care Bear figurines to stick in the bag, too.

I know it will be hard to go up there and give those things to them, and I'll probably cry a little, but I still think they're worth the effort. They were amazing and they didn't have to be.

One of the easiest things to do in this job is form connections with people. It comes naturally to me, at least in that setting, and those relationships make a great foundation. My plans are always to put down roots if I can and not move on. I want to provide the continuity and reliability that's so important for kids, especially kids who spend more waking hours with me than their parents during the week.

I know I'm not their mom... but we *are* a family.
And the people in the office/school counselor/custodian and various others are part of my family, too.

It hurts me to say goodbye again.

:::sigh:::