Category Archives: Transitions

surprised by grief

Posted on August 29, 2015 by bakrawiec

When my father died, a close friend, whose mother and father had died–just two weeks apart, and about eight months before my father’s death—gently counseled me. “Be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions,” she said. “One minute you think … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Dying, Grief, Retirement, Teachers, Teaching, Transitions | 4 Comments

to rise & shine, or to sleep in & lazy around ?

Posted on August 28, 2015 by bakrawiec

Over the years, some retired folks I’ve known have flaunted the opportunity to sleep in and to lazy around throughout the day. Decidedly a morning person whose day (or at least the best part of it) feels done by 8:30—that … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment, Retirement, Transitions, Work | 2 Comments

school bells about to ring, but not for me….

Posted on August 27, 2015 by bakrawiec

Here in the East, next week, they’re ringing bells for school, but not for me….I’m retiring! I surprised myself in the last post when I explained why I chose to celebrate my retirement on three days–instead of just one–spread over … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment, Retirement, School, Separation anxiety, Teaching, Transitions | Leave a comment

Circling with the bluebird of happiness

Posted on August 25, 2015 by bakrawiec

Last post, I considered the little, but mighty! blue Twitter bird in relation to the expression “A little birdie told me…” Because of a variety of joys that the Twitter bird has signaled for me (reconnecting with old friends, meeting … Continue reading →

Posted in Affiliation, Retirement, Transitions, Twitter | Leave a comment

Thoughts of death—how much did I know? (Part 2)

Posted on August 23, 2015 by bakrawiec

Believing without a doubt in an afterlife, I look forward to knowing the answers to some elusive questions that have arisen in this life. Likewise, I have no doubt that I will get answers to questions I’ve never even thought … Continue reading →

Posted in Death, Dying, Living, Retirement, Transitions | Leave a comment

What have I done to myself? Retro Q & A revisited

Posted on August 22, 2015 by bakrawiec

Referring to my marketing experience in a recent post got me remembering. The work-life-identity-question I asked myself on June 30 when I submitted my resignation-for-retirement purposes letter: What have I done to myself? …That wasn’t the first time I posed … Continue reading →

Posted in Employment, Marketing, Retirement, Teaching, textbooks, Transitions | Leave a comment

cleaning up my own messes

Posted on August 18, 2015 by bakrawiec

Having been privileged these last ten years to interact with a thousand or more children transitioning into their school years, I‘ve seen up-close what R. Fulghum observed. From social behavior (playing fairly, keeping one’s hands to oneself, etc.), to personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Kindergarten, Lessons, Lifelong Learning, Retirement, Transitions | 2 Comments

morning after: lame duck librarian

Posted on August 11, 2015 by bakrawiec

Assuming that the Board appointed my replacement last night, I’m even more officially a lame duck librarian this morning. Meanwhile, until my work account ends on August 31st, I continue receiving email notifications concerning boxes upon boxes of new books … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Children, Education, Employment, Librarian, LIbrarians, Library, Library Media Specialist, Retirement, School, Seniors, Teachers, Teaching, Transitions | Leave a comment

Replaced…will (should???) anything remain?

Posted on August 10, 2015 by bakrawiec

Retirement is getting “realer” and “realer.” July 13th, the Board of Education accepted and approved my resignation as an elementary library media specialist for retirement purposes. Tonight, just about one month later, they are expected to approve the hiring of … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Employment, Librarian, Library Media Specialist, Retirement, Transitions, Work | Leave a comment

unfortunately…forced into leaving teaching

Posted on August 9, 2015 by bakrawiec

In an earlier post, I compared “social media” constraints at the end of my teaching career with “social” (public drinking) constraints at its start. In that post, I wondered if the anti-public drinking constraint was aimed particularly at women. …Would … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Education, Employment, Retirement, School, Seniors, Students, Teaching, Transitions | Leave a comment