Change
still hangs
heavy and sweet
with sunlight
as it did last year.
still comes
showering gold and crimson
as it did last year.
still stings
clean and cold and white
as it did last year.
still comes
like a whisper in the dark night.
who have changed.
With the support and encouragement of my
amazing husband, I decided to retire
from full-time teaching. It wasn't an easy decision. I spent many sleepless nights second-guessing myself. I had a ton of guilt over leaving mid-year,
however, for reasons I won’t go into, I felt it was necessary. Change is terribly hard for
me, and this was a big one.
Now, eighteen days later, I know I made the right decision. I’m living the life I always dreamed of— the life of a full-time writer. I can honestly say that I am happier now than
I’ve been in years. I don’t know where this new journey will take me, but I’m
grateful to finally be on the path.
On Sunday, my wonderful siblings threw me a surprise retirement
party with this beautiful cake!
"Your best stories remain to be written!” I sure hope so. This year, I'm trying to be more open and embrace change. After all, sometimes change is a good thing!
Congratulations to the five winners of YOU JUST WAIT! Please
send me your snail mail address.
Sally Murphy
Leigh Ann Eck
Alice Nine
Molly Hogan
Jane of raincitylibrarian
Have a great Poetry Friday!
A special thank you to Jone at Check It Out for hosting today.
Linda ~ I love Charlotte Zolotow's poem...and what a perfect word Change is for you...for all of us! My word this year is Fearless.
ReplyDeleteFearless is a great word and something I need to work on too! I'm pretty much a one-lane kind of person so fear definitely comes with change. I'm old enough to retire, so I guess it's time to challenge my comfort zone a bit. : )
DeleteI wish you more "best" days to come, Linda. The party and cake are very special, and the poem just right for NEW!
ReplyDeleteI wish the same for you, Linda. You retired a couple of years ago, how is it going for you?
DeleteCharlotte Zolotow is a favorite of mine, thanks for sharing her poem!
ReplyDeleteyour cake is beautiful in spirit and style, all the best with the road ahead!
Thank you, Michelle. My brothers and sisters are the best!
DeleteWow. What a big step. Congratulations! I'm sure you've made the right decision. I am delighted to be a winner, but since I'm in Australia, and postage is expensive, I am happy for you to donate my copy to a nearby school where I'm sure it will be put to good use
ReplyDeleteSally, I'm happy to send your copy to you, but if you prefer, I'm also happy to donate it. I'll contact you through your blog. : )
DeleteDear Sally: Can you check and see if HERE WE GO is available on Amazon (Australia)? I know that it is available on Amazon in Germany and Italy. If it is, please buy a copy from Amazon (Australia) and email me (janetATjanetwongDOTcom) and I will reimburse you. If it's not on Amazon there...let's figure out how to get an Australian bookstore to carry it!
DeleteCongratulations and good luck with your year of change. That's always been a tricky one for me. Happy writing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Molly. I hope to make the best of my writing time. I've waited for this a long time. : )
DeleteMolly, please send me your address so I can get your copy of JUST YOU WAIT to you. : )
DeleteWOW! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. And, what a lovely way to walk into and embrace CHANGE this Poetry Friday. You have entered a new season. Enjoy every moment. And, hey! You get to write now. Woot!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the poem and thanks for sharing!
Linda, I was so nervous about the whole retirement thing. I've had a paying job of one kind or another for the past 50 yrs. Having TIME is a gift!
DeleteCongratulations on your retirement but more than that congratulations for embracing the change and looking forward. Here's to you!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margaret. So far, I'm loving it!
DeleteCongrats! Wow on the cake, they sure fit a lot on there.
ReplyDeleteYes, the cake was so gorgeous, I didn't want to cut it! : )
DeleteTerrific poem. Your siblings gave you a lovely cake. Good luck with your writing!
ReplyDeleteThanks,Tabatha. The cake was not only beautiful, it also very delicious!
DeleteLinda, I am so excited for you to start a new chapter in your life. "Your best stories remain to be written!” This is a perfect statement to wish you well on your journey. Go grab the bull by the horn and bring the world of words to your everyday life.
ReplyDeleteCarol, yes, it was perfect!
DeleteI wholly approve of your OLW, Linda (it's mine, too!) and I wholly approve of your commitment to this new path you're taking. YAY YOU!!! Wishing you all the best. :)
ReplyDeleteMichelle, we'll have be "change" buddies and keep in touch about our progress. : )
DeleteThe quote on your cake, your best stories remain to be written, captures the excitement of this new chapter. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ramona!
DeleteCongratulations and Happy Retirement, Linda! Zolotow captures how change can happen without us even realizing. Looking forward to hearing about your "next chapter"... =)
ReplyDeleteBridget, I agree. Sometimes it just seems to happen. : )
DeleteA perfect poem to go with your OLW for the year. I'll bet the next chapter will be better than the last!
ReplyDeleteDoraine, I just want time to slow down now so I can enjoy it. These past two weeks have flown by!
DeleteMay the best be yet to come, Linda! Change is such a great and powerful word.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kiesha.
DeleteI love the comment on your cake, "Your best stories remain to be written." Congrats on a new chapter!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ramona. I'm looking forward to it!
DeleteOh, I feel the same way - change can just be agonizing, and I've lost many night's sleep worrying about decisions. But in the end, you sometimes just have to go with your gut and follow your instincts. This is your time to shine!
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Jane. Sometimes that's the best thing to do.
DeleteOh, and I just realised I won a copy of the book! Is there an email address I can send my postal address to?
ReplyDeleteJane, you can email me your address here:
Deleteldkulp@gmail.com I know you'll love this book!
I love this poem, and it reminds me that I haven't read much Charlotte Zolotow recently, which is sad.
ReplyDeleteTara, I know what you mean. I love Charlotte Zolotow, but I haven't read her books in years. I need to change that. : )
DeleteLove this poem. I am saving it. Congrats on your retirement and off to full time writing.
ReplyDeleteJone, when I taught elementary, I had a poster with this poem hanging in my room. I've always loved it.
DeleteSo excited that I won a book!! Thank you. I love Zolotow's poem. The steadfastness of seasons, and how we change year after year... goes along with my thoughts today about Robert Browning's words: "Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made."
ReplyDeleteYes, I love Robert Browning's poem. I do think as we get older, we start to appreciate time more. I just emailed you about your book. I know you will enjoy it.
DeleteI was just reading poem I wrote about how we measure time. Life events was one of those ways! Congrats on your retirement. I know I am getting closer to that stage in life, and I hope I just "know" when it is time. How exciting for you to be able to spend time just writing. Thank you to for the give-away. I am excited about reading and writing with this book!
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne, I just emailed you about the book. It will be on its way to you soon! Congratulations!
DeleteCongratulations on starting your next chapter! I have said 4 more years, just so numbers align correctly, but I'll keep you in mind and be ready in the event that the right moment surprises me sooner. Enjoy the realignment of the seasons and the TIME to pursue your passions.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary Lee. I think we know when the time comes to make a change. Sometimes, circumstances make that decision for us. You'll know when the time is right. Good luck!
DeleteI'm so happy that you have love and support from your family. It makes a big difference! The best of luck in your new endeavor.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane. I'm grateful to have so many wonderful, supportive family members. You're right, it makes a difference. : )
DeleteFrom what you have told me about your childhood, your military service, and your teaching experiences, it seems that you have MANY books in you--looking forward to reading them!!
ReplyDeleteJanet, thank you for the encouragement. I'm so grateful to have this opportunity. I am going to give it all I've got!
Delete