This is the end of an era, a very long one. I started working full-time here in August of 1979. Even though I was trained to teach Home Economics, there were no jobs to be found in that area at the time. I was thrilled to find a full-time job at BYU since I had just graduated and Rick was starting law school. I've worked in several different offices, all within the college of Family, Home and Social Sciences. I've worked stints of full-time, part-time, three-quarter time and I've been on call during almost all of those years (with a two year break teaching Home Economics at Independence High School.)
One of the greatest perks of working at BYU has been the opportunity I've had to see our four kids on campus as they have completed their education here as students. I also got to spend some time with R, Courtney and Chelsea since there were students here also (Jake had already graduated and was on to law school when he started dating Jord.)
I have such great memories of meeting them for lunch, going to the Bookstore with them, buying textbooks with my faculty/staff discount, bringing them treats and items from home, helping them get around and find where to go, loaning them my car, meeting their friends, hosting their friends with food during devotionals, helping them have access to printers, staplers and such, employing some of their friends, listening to them talk about their lives, their dates, their classes and their hopes and dreams. They have eaten their lunches in my office, as well as bummed some lunches off of me. It has truly been a pleasure to see them walk in to my office during the day and just sit down and chat. There have only been a few years since Jordan started school here in 1999, that one of them hasn't been on campus with me. At one point, Jordan, Claire and Dave were all students here. It has been a wonderful blessing to be able to work in the same location as my children who were going to school. I will cherish the memories!
As a final lunch a couple of weeks ago, I met Andy and Chelsea for the LAST TIME at the Pen Court for lunch in the ESC. The Pen Court was closing down for the semester and it was our last hurrah. They are graduating in April and I am retiring. No more lunches at the Pen Court. It's a mixed bag of emotions as we all close this chapter of our lives.
4 comments:
Thanks for all the lunches at the Pen court. You are a good mother
I'm so happy for you to be done working! You're going to love all your free time. That's so awesome you got to work somewhere where your kids were for so long! What great memories.
How exciting that you're retiring!! I don't think I knew that. And just in time too, it sounds like, with Andy and Chelsea leaving. It would have been weird for you to be working there with no kids on campus! What a perfect set up.
The question remains: What will you do with yourself in retirement? I think I have a pretty good idea, and I think it involves helping those you love. Thanks, Vonnie for your hard work and your dedication to family, and for all you have done for our family through your work. Love you.
vfr
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