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This Place

I debated sharing my heart about this, but I just have to. I want all of you (whoever you are…we know we have lots of lurkers and we are thrilled you like us!) to feel my heartbeat at this amazing, scary, fun, life-altering, God-given and stressful time in my life.

Tomorrow is my last day of work at ECS. My Mama and I were talking via cellphone during our commutes home this afternoon and she asked me if it would be an emotional day for me and I said "Nah, it shouldn't. I cried all the way home one day last week and got it out of my system". I actually believed those words until I sat down to type my boss, Rex, a good-bye letter.

The past year has been an unexpected Gift from God. From the day my Aunt Babs emailed me while I was sitting miserably at the very worst job in THE world to tell me of the job opportunity at ECS, and until this very moment. I have become stronger, confident, sharper in my God-given talents, and rich in friendship because of (as Rex always says), "This place we call ECS!". It is a haven and a refuge and I am so blessed to have been able to call it my home for the past nine months.

I have mentioned Mrs. Carolyn so much that I know many of you feel like you know her ( Oh, how I wish you did!) but there are so many more people that have touched my heart for a lifetime. One of these special people is the man who hired me, Rex. I sat in Rex's office today for over an hour and talked to him as a friend, a brother and a teacher. I will miss that a lot. He shares my sense of humor and has made me laugh everyday. I will miss that too. Mostly, I will miss the way he has encouraged me to grow as a child of the Father. He respects me, has always been fair, honest and taught me much more than I will realize for some time, I am sure. Faithful Friend Paris Twila - Faithful Friend lyrics LyricsMode.com is a song I sang 12 years ago at GABC during the senior recognition service. My Aunt Donna reminded me of this song the other day. I am so glad she brought this song to mind. My "parting gift" to Rex was this song (I did not sing it, no worries). These lyrics are what made me sit in this chair tonight and weep with a thankful heart.

I know I have forever friends in all the ladies in the White House and promise to make them laugh and feel like a million bucks from Jonesboro through this blog and occasional emails. I do feel honored that Laura cried when I willed her my "cookie" sign to keep in her office so I would always be there in spirit, that Laverna is sad that I will not be there to tell her how cute she is, and how Patty will miss all my "abbyisms".

It is a bittersweet time in my life, more so than any other time I can remember (and I have had A LOT of seasons for a 29 year old, trust me!). Who would ever DREAM that a job would be so hard to leave. I can assure you I was unprepared for the impact it would have on my life.

I Thank God for this time, this place and this journey. I am glad I was able to stop off here for the past nine months and find a safe haven and a refuge from the storms of life. I feel better equipped to move forward in, "this place we call life!".


I must close out with what my fortune cookie said today:
"You will soon be confronted with unlimited opportunities". I am not one to put faith in a cookie (or St. Joseph for that matter), but I did enjoy the encouragement!



Abby
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Comments

Anonymous said…
There is nothing wrong with putting a little faith in St. Joseph :-)
May 7, 2008 at 9:09 AM
Unknown said…
love the new hair!!!
May 8, 2008 at 9:29 AM
Anonymous said…
I love your hair...very cute :)
May 8, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Anonymous said…
I love your hair...very cute :)

Melissa
May 8, 2008 at 9:49 AM
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