A letter from Jun 18, 2025

Dear FutureMe, Wow - what a year. What a blessing to have been placed at MDHS and in retrospect - I am so grateful that all my fears were not substantiated AT ALL. The kids and staff are wonderful, supportive, respectful (most of the time) and responsive. It has been a real privilege to work with them. I also found out so much about who supports me and who does not. I just learned yesterday (June 16) from Sandy Roberts who took over from me when I was forced to leave IRHS that when they purged my office (which she found appalling) they also threw out a spare outfit of hers and her new t-shirt. She was pissed and could not even imagine how I felt. Such a rediculous time! She had a negative experience when she was an administrator too... She gave me the best hug on the 16th and I am so grateful for that. Everyone here has been respectful and/or supportive - awesome! Losing Mom on April 15th was a blow - that truly I am still trying to process. This weekend I will address some of the clothing/jewellery etc. Dad and I have been through a lot of the Collingwood stuff.. but that will take more time. I miss her everyday and do a daily Sudoku ... I will learn to knit :) Dad is managing... he comes for dinner every night - and is keeping busy. He will be in Collingwood this weekend and I am staying home because I really have to clean my house!!! I am at WOSS in September - not sure how that will go - certainly there will be more stress/seriousness and less support... it couldn't really get better than here. I guess I will know by the time I open this letter... Thank GOD Jackie Morris is there to keep me sane! In July -on the 19th, Tom and I will be going to Duncan's cottage (Drama - MDHS) for a day - so warm and welcoming! My 12s shared all their prom and grad pix with me.. so wonderful and you managed to write every student a personal note to say goodbye and good luck - they all have their attributes. This summer, July 4th with Tom - who is now retired - and then Burlington for a bit (colonoscopy on July 17) before heading to AUS for August. Jenn is currently waiting to get into a residential support program... not doing well - lost 21 pounds in the past few months... I am worried as you can imagine. My own health isn't great - still in physio for my shoulder and ankle - slow progress! Needing to get back to working out so I develop my cardio again... and a bit of strength too. I have been lazy and/or overwhelmed. One more teaching year - and then retirement for me... I am excited about that... but also happy to be finishing my teaching career where I began - with students in an English Classroom. Hoping you are doing okay now... xo Me