A Strange Feeling...

Well one of the MOST influential women in my life, experienced a life altering event today, her retirement party. She has worked 30 years for the City and I am so freaked out that she is retired now! LOL Sondra was ALWAYS a beacon of light to me, and I followed her into working with the City. My teachers wanted me to work at different places like Wang (who no longer exist by the way) and I stuck to my guns and got hired with the City I was raised in. I was able to raise my kids, with health benefits and hey even my ex got to sue me for a good portion of my retirement ... so hey all is well and I have no regrets! 

It was a really nice lunch for her...the boys were there...and of course we were there. I am just grateful to this woman on SO many accounts! And it was a nice experience to be able to honor her!

When things would get bad and I needed to borrow $20 she would give it to me, when I wasn't eating, she would feed me. When I was going crazy she would talk to me. We have been through hell and back. It is amazing to me that she is now starting a different route in her life! I am excited for her...but I am sad too.

Sondra met me when I was 15 and leaving my parents house out of my window with my step monster pulling me back, she took me home and never got money for me. She always believed in me. She never judged me. I could say the most stupidest thing in the world and she would still love me through it. She was a beacon of light to me. She was able to steady me and move me passed not only my parents crap, but many life issues... She believed in me and kicked my ass some times. She was my cheer leader. I got through vocational school with her help, and I got my job with her encouragement and help. And I never embarrassed her...I have had my job for close to 25 years. But because she believed in me. In fact, she went with me to San Francisco with $50 to the fashion warehouses and I got my first work wardrobe... It is so hard to believe that she has been with the city for 30 years already and starting a new life...weird...and a strange feeling!