Farewell to a Friend

Yesterday, I briefly attended a reception honoring the director of our service center, Dr. Rita Cook. Rita leaves us to become a school superintendent in Kentucky, moving her closer to family. I got to thinking about how quickly time passes, and how in the course of our careers in education we move in and out of other folks’ lives, sometimes unaware of the impact they have had on us and vice versa.
Not so with Rita. I have never forgotten the words she spoke to me the day she invited me to come and work here. No other time in the course of my life has an employer said anything that had such an impact on my professional life. I hope I have begun to live up to her expectations in the six years we’ve worked together. And true to her way of working with people, she was the one who encouraged me again when the tears welled up as I said goodbye. Thanks Rita. The school district that enticed you away from us has no idea (yet!) how lucky they are to have you.
☺