Changes

I am going to miss my boss! I worked for Bud Bence who was the Vice President and Academic Dean at IWU. We both just walked into our jobs at the same time 3 years ago knowing NOTHING, with absolutely no training. He had previous administrative experience and I worked as receptionist in Academic Affairs - so we at least had small pieces of information. It has been a wild ride, but we made it!! I have so many great memories and I can't tell you how many times I have laughed to the point of tears. You just have to know him to understand :) He is a great boss - kind, thoughtful and patient. I have been blessed to work with him!

It is kind of a hard transition...because he is going back to teaching before he retires, and I am moving on to another position (still within our office, still reporting to the VP). They have not hired my replacement yet, so I guess I am technically Dwight Jessup's (the new guy) administrative assistant until they decide...but he does not officially start until August. Which is again hard - it would be so nice if things were settled!

I guess it is the simple things that are hard for me...not answering "Dr. Bence's Office, this is Michelle" when I answer the phone - which has become mindless since I have been doing it 8 hours a day for 3 years! Creating a new signature that goes out in my emails. Changing the voicemail message. Redoing all the correspondence letters to make sure they are updated with the right name. Ordering nameplates for the door. Everything is a reminder. I will miss working with him.

David Wright is our new Provost and is temporarily housed in our office suite (in my new office, actually!) until they finish his office. He has been doing devotions with all of us every week, and one thing that he said was that there are three parts to change - the past, when there is no past and no future, and the future. He said it is important to go through all the stages and give them their due, even though the first two stages are very hard...so I guess I am saying goodbye to the past and mourning the loss, and moving in to the terribly awkward stage of "no past and no future". He said this to all of us because there is a LOT of transition going on - not just Dr. Bence leaving, which makes it harder on all of us, I think.

We will get there!!! The future is on the horizon...