So here's the short of it, 
Ray is retiring!

And here's the long.

Ray Swoffard announced his retirement plans today.

He'll hang around until the end of November and then he's planning to go on with himself.  I wouldn't be surprised if he does some work in Nashville where several of our retired educators have ended up.

Ray has always been a champion for our urban schools. He's worked with the Benwood Initiative and brought some good changes to the system. I'm know he will be very missed. Many of our principals say really good whenever his name comes up.

Of course like always, we will continue with our initiatives and keep on doing what's right for children. But we'll miss Ray.

And these days, I'm always thinking -- I'm not too many years behind you!

So here's the short of it, 
A favorite meditation...

And here's the long.

There are lots of favorite meditations and readings at the High Holidays.  This one is always a favorite, and seemed especially appropriate in remembering Pennie and my Dad.

Do not imagine that character is determined at birth.
We have been given free will.
Any person can become as righteous as Moses or as wicked as Jeroboam.
We ourselves decide whether to make ourselves learned or ignorant, compassionate or cruel, generous or miserly.
No one forces us, no one drags us along one path or the other.
We ourselves, by our own volition, choose our own way.
                                                                         ..... Maimonides

So here's the short of it, 
It's good to be home. 

And here's the long.

We are home.  It's a long day's drive from Tampa to Chattanooga, but we pressed through.
Liga and I shared the drive/ride - it was nice to get some one on one time.

We managed to hit the outskirts of Atlanta right at rush hour.  I was reminded once again why I really love living in Chattanooga!

Mom came by after church tonight so we were able to have a short nice visit with her, and Valdis came by to pick up his clothes that we brought back from Florida (so he didn't have to check a bag on the way back). Then there's the welcome home from Sophie and Lola. I'm sitting in the recliner - Lola is stretched out on my lap after spending at least an hour head bumping me and licking me - Sophie is finally stretched out asleep waiting for me to head to bed.  She's herded me from the car to the house, around the circle, and has barely left my side since I got home.  We heard from the neighbor that she got kind of barky at night while we were gone. I hope she was just suffering from being lonely and now that her family is back home, she'll be settled down.

My brain is still spinning a little too fast to sleep although I'm pretty tired from the emotional weekend and the long drive home. Some rest will be just the ticket to bring back some equilibrium.

So here's the short of it,

Tomorrow we start in a different world.

And here's the long.

We head home tomorrow.

Today was filled with the rituals of death - the funeral, the burial, the food, the fellowship, and prayers.

And tomorrow we will wake and take our showers. We'll pack up our bags and drive up the road. There will be days when we want to remember something and think that we should ask Pennie - she would know that. There'll be times that her presence is with us in a way that brings us pride and peace. There'll be other times that leave us with an ache for the years that we believe she should have had. But mostly as the days pass and we think of her, we'll keep her memory, pass along the stories of her life, and watch as things grow out of her life efforts that we could not have imagined.

Today is the 2nd anniversary of my Dad's death. In our lives, Alan and I will always pair these griefs. But we will also always pair the blessings that these two brought into our lives.

Perhaps Gene and Pennie are on a heavenly sofa somewhere sharing stories about their grandchildren. (something I often saw them doing in the days they were together)

PENNIE PEARLMAN Obituary: View PENNIE PEARLMAN's Obituary by TBO.com

So here's the short of it, 

Pennie Pearlman

June 14, 1942 - September 26, 2011

And here's the long.

Thank you Pennie Pearlman for a life well lived that will be an inspiration to many for a long time to come.


We love you.

So here's the short of it,
Pennie...

And here's the long.

So there are so many people here in Tampa who came for Pennie.  She has been home since Wednesday, and several times the family has thought that it would only be a matter of hours, so we are here. I am grateful that we got here in time to visit with her and let her know we were here.

We spent the afternoon and evening with her today.  She is resting comfortably and her three boys and three daughters-in-law, as well as her brother and sister are being very attentive. She is not responsive, and again several times today she seemed on the verge of leaving us. We do all know, of course, that her time of leaving is between her and her God.

We thank you for your spiritual support - it sustains us.

So here's the short of it, 
Pennie we love you...

And here's the long.

We got out of Chattanooga a little before 9:00 this morning and made it to Tampa about 7:30 this evening.  We made several stops along the way and had a good drive. We went straight to Pennie's house.   She is home, surrounded by her family. I feel very fortunate to have been able to get here in time to see her and have a chance to share some last thoughts and feelings.  Those of you who asked me to give her a message - I did.  She seems to be comatose, but I always believe that there's a possibility that people hear your words.

As we left this evening, her heart beat was a strong, steady 82, and her respiration was fine. She's not quite finished here on earth...