Sunday, June 3, 2018

How the summer began

My 10 week summer vacation has begun, and I have no idea what to do with myself. I haven't had a whole summer off since I was a teenager. There are so many things I would like to accomplish in the next two or three months! I'm so glad I kept applying for jobs with the school district; it took three years, but getting this job has changed my life. Summer break feels like the biggest payoff so far.

I actually missed the last three days of school this year. I went in to work the morning after grandma died because I wasn't sure what else to do. As soon as I told someone what had happened, everyone started saying, "Why are you here? You need to go and be with your family." The secretary went ahead and scheduled me for paid days off (bereavement pay) for the rest of the week. I stayed long enough to call a couple of parent volunteers to come help answer phones, and  tie up a couple of loose ends, and then I went on home. Of course, I drove to my hometown that afternoon and sat with my dad for a few hours. It's tough to lose your mother.

The funeral was yesterday. My dad and aunt had arranged for a very simple service in the funeral parlor chapel followed by a procession to the cemetery. I had forgotten how a funeral procession still works in a small southern town: there are police escorts on either end, and police at every traffic light and intersection along the way so that all oncoming cars must yield. Most of the cars on the opposite side of the highway leading out of town will pull off the side of the road (or else stop right in the middle of it) out of respect while a funeral passes by. Gregg and I had both forgotten about those customs and marveled that they still exist.

Speaking of my husband, most of my dad's family had never met him before the funeral yesterday. He looked so handsome in his smart dark suit, and his manners were so nice, that I was proud of him. He's been really sweet and supportive during all this, and I feel like a fortunate woman.

Now that the funeral and other family responsibilities are over, I'm trying to wrap my head around the idea that I am off work.....for weeks and weeks! I don't want to waste a single day of savoring this new summer freedom.




16 comments:

  1. I am sorry to hear about your grandmother. It's great that your coworkers were able to help you have those days off to spend with your family. And yes, I know what you mean about summer vacation -- every time I get disgruntled with my job or think I'm underpaid, I remind myself I only work 10 months a year!

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    1. My pay has definitely taken a cut, but only because it's spread out over the whole year. When you add up the two and a half months of summer break, and two weeks off at Christmas, and a week off at spring break...well, I work a bit less than 9 months a year! Not a bad deal!

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  2. I am just so incredibly glad that you got that job. What a life-changer it's been for you!
    And isn't it wonderful to have a husband who is a good man? We don't really talk about marriage in those terms too much but honestly- having a good mate and partner to love and be loved by is one of the sweetest and most wonderful things in the world.

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    1. It IS one of the most wonderful things in the world! I never knew it was possible to fall more in love with a person as the years go by, but that is what has happened. I'm not sure how I got so lucky.

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  3. Such a difficult year for year and yet so much to be grateful for. And what a great problem to have this summer -- what to do with all this free time.

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  4. I remember that too. And other cars would pull over and put on their headlights.
    Happy Summer!

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    1. Yes, many of the cars that stopped had their headlights on. I had forgotten about all of that. That all would be impossible in the medium sized city where I live now...you would get run over if you stopped in the middle of the highway!

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  5. My town is sort of big, and treats funerals the same way. Maybe it's just human nature in all of us.

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  6. I think you should spend the day in bed. You will soon become so bored that you'll soon find things to do. Enjoy your freedom; you've deserved it.

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    1. I lounged in bed until 10am this morning. The house was cool and I had put fresh sheets on last night, and it felt too good to get up in a hurry!

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  7. Doing NOTHING is definitely not wasting your summer freedom, Jennifer - it is what holidays are for, to rest and relax :-)
    But if you should suddenly feel inspired to do something in or outside the house, feel free to do that, too. Meet up with friends, take long walks with your dogs, have lovely meals, read great books - it's all there for you!

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    1. I've made plans to meet a friend (who teaches college chemistry) for lunch on Wednesday, since we're both free. And tomorrow I'm planning to go spend the afternoon with Marla and the new baby. This first week is going to be about spending time with friends, long walks, and just relaxing. Next week I plan to pull out my list of things to accomplish this summer!

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  8. When I was a schoolboy (and had 10 weeks off in the Summer) we were told to stop in the street if a funeral passed and remove our caps in respect. I don't think they do that any more...

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    1. That's such a nice custom. Too bad many of those things have fallen away in the modern world.

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