Going Away Speech

Some friends threw us a going away party today. I wrote a speech for the event, but the opportunity to give it never came up. I am posting it here, but the names and locations have all been removed.

Friends,

For close to two months, we have known that our time here was coming to an end. It has been difficult to think about, and even harder to talk about.

I am not going to point out specific people to thank, because there would be too many of you. You know who you are, I think. Instead. I am going to talk about some of the experiences which have shaped and formed our time here and why I will cherish those memories forever.

First, of the -Club. For the past eleven and a half years I have been proud to serve this community. I have worked countless shifts at our two food stands, during the – and at – games. It has been my pleasure and honor to do this. I was always the most comfortable handling money at the front of the stand, but that was not why I enjoyed it as much as I did. What I truly loved about that position was that I was one of the faces of our club. I got to interact with everyone in the community. I got to know everyone, and everyone got to know me.

I also loved working at -. Interviewing people who were doing good for those around them was one of the highlights of my time in the club, here. And there is so much good in this place. It always made me so glad to see it – in a world where there is so much negative, knowing that there are days of hope right here in our community should bring a smile to all of your faces.

And my favorite public service as a member of the – Club: -. It wasn’t always my favorite part of the year. For years, my job was as a crossing guard on -. I was always terrified that either I or someone else was going to get hit by a car in the middle of the race. I didn’t want to end up on the evening news, but I can still remember the headlines that ran through my imagination. However, thankfully, the Police Department took that job from me. When it did, I got to move to the microphone at the finish line, and that is where I truly loved being. They were long days – usually from about 4:30 in the morning until about 3:00 in the afternoon, but I loved it. Watching -, completely exhausted from their effort, but simultaneously overjoyed at their accomplishment, was one of the greatest joys I had each year that I had the privilege of being – announcer.

Next, I would like to talk about the school district. When I lost my job at the bank I had been working at because it closed, I had no idea what I was going to do with myself, as far as a career went. M was 5 months pregnant with L at the time, and it was her suggestion that I try out substitute teaching. So, in January 2014, I put in an application to work for -. I think – called me the next day.

So began my new calling. I enjoyed subbing so much that I decided to make teaching my new profession. I subbed every day while taking courses to get another degree. I did countless hours of field work at – during those courses. I had my student teaching placement at -. And all the while, I got to know the staff like they were family. The people that M talked about every day were now part of my social circle, as well. Every day was different, and every day I found myself getting closer and closer to everyone there.

Then I graduated, and fate put me somewhere other than -. For four years I was away, but I was never really away. During that time, I was still around very frequently, continuing to foster and grow the relationships which had bloomed while I subbed.

Then, when I learned of -‘s retirement, I snapped at the chance to be his replacement at -. I wasn’t sure if I was qualified when I was given the job, but I knew that I would try my best. And I gave it my all.

Professionally, the past two years have been the best of my life. I have learned so much from all of you. People I once considered friends became much more like family. Coming into the lounge after letting P out every day was always my favorite part of the day, and it may be what I miss the most. The camaraderie in that room was special, and it is not something that any of you should ever take for granted.

Finally, my family. Where to begin? When M and I moved here, I never thought that it was going to be a permanent posting for us. I thought that she would not be able to handle the country life, and I had doubts about myself. I thought that we’d only be here for a year or two, tops.

But then, before I knew it, we were given the opportunity to buy our house, which we had been renting from -. We weren’t sure that it was a good idea at the time, but we did it.

And then, before we knew it, we were given the opportunity to get a dog from -. We weren’t sure that it was a good idea at the time, but we did it.

And then, before we knew it, we decided to try to start growing our family. We still weren’t sure if we were ready to be parents, or if – was the place to do it, but before we knew it, L was born.

And then, before we knew it, we were talking about growing our family. We knew that we were at least OKAY parents, but we still weren’t sure if expansion was the right choice at the time. But before we knew it, A was born.

They have become integral parts of this community. When M’s folks come up to visit and take them out, random people will approach them and ask “Is that little L?” Or “How’s A, today?” It is uncanny just how many people know them in our community. This is the only home that they know.

And before we knew it, this was home. We didn’t even realize it, but we couldn’t even think of leaving. Part of me still can’t. It is surreal to me when I think about how ingrained in this community, this family, we have become. – will always be the place where L and A took their first steps. – will always be the place where they attended school. – will always be the place where they visited their first library. – will always be the place where they said their first words and ate their first foods and played with their first dog. This is the only home that they have ever known, and I will speak for them when I tell you how much they love all of you and this place.

But, as the old adage goes, “All good things must come to an end.” We did not make the decision to leave lightly. It took days, weeks of mulling over our choices and our options. We weighed the pros of staying (which were many, varied, and great, by the way) against the unknown. Unfortunately, our decision was helped along for us. But it’s okay. Change is terrifying and exciting at the same time. We will make the very best of it, as will all of you.

You will all be in our thoughts every day. Every day we will remember you and wonder how you are doing. John Denver put it best: “Country Roads, take me home to the place I belong.” I know that this is going to be the place that I will think of when I hear these words. You have all so enriched my life. This place, and you people are home, and will live in my heart. Always. Thank you.