Monday, May 28, 2018

Grace and Humility


The Skagit River
 Photo taken Fall 2017

Grace and Humility
May 28, 2018

What this photo I took some months ago along the Skagit River means for me st this time in my life is a representation of my walk which has been blessed, each step a lesson learned. As I reflect on my blessings, I prayerfully walk in immense humility and gratitude. 
 
 Reflections on so much I have to be grateful for and so much I have to look forward to as I move into this rather nebulous and unknown time in my life at the age of 70. Well on the path of my elder years.  I will finally be retiring completely from the college as an instructor, and my work as a counselor with the Swinomish Tribe, at the end of June this year. Friendships with very dear colleagues that have walked along side of me for many years will continue, yet take on a new color. They will never be lost. They will always be treasured. I was told by a tribal elder and Chairperson of the Samish Nation, Margaret Greene, in 1996, "We have no words for good bye in our language."  At that time I was leaving my position as director for five years of Samish Long House Preschool to work for Skagit Mental Health Children's Services, where I would complete my internship, finally complete my thesis for my Masters Degree and receive my license as a mental health counselor. I would meet my beloved husband, married now for 19 years, and have the blessing of collaborating with him for as long as partners of Skagit Family Study Center.

I take a bend in the river now, turning to a perhaps and hopefully slower pace of life with my husband as we continue our collaboration at Skagit Family Study Center. 
 
                           Photo of Chuck and I by the Skagit River Summer 2000                                                 

Photo of my dear friends and co-workers Darlene, and Shirley.  
                                               
                                            Self photo of me Summer 2018, 70 years old