Retirement?

Well, the day is almost here!  After many years of working and many different jobs, she's decided it's time!

I probably won't get all the details right, but I'll give it my best shot. 

Right out of high school, her Aunt Dorothy (Whippo) brought her into the credit department of the Kaufmann's Department Store in Rochester, Pennsylvania.  She worked with a group of beautiful, young women who all became friends.  Her Grandma Whippo lived within walking distance of this store and Debbie often spent the night with her!  During a year when her parents forbid me to see Debbie, her Grandma allowed us to meet occasionally at her apartment!  He he he he...  She loved this job!

Then - after two years at Roberts Wesleyan College - she returned home to work as a receptionist for a country doctor;  everyone called him 'Doc Kennedy'.  He invited her into his office one day to watch him deliver a baby.  In the process, he looked over and saw her going pale.  He quickly instructed her to put her head between her knees.  She loved this job!

Before we were married, we made a trip to Lexington, Kentucky.  Debbie acquired a position in the loan department of the largest bank in the city:  First Security National Bank.  As newlyweds, we became close friends with several of the young women she worked with.  We had an opportunity to let our light shine on those double-dates!  Debbie loved this job!

After almost two years, Debbie got an opportunity to be hired in the Development Office of Asbury Theological Seminary.  Here she worked with some wonderful people such as Bill Brunk and Kathleen Demeray.  She was able to walk to work instead of driving to center-city Lexington.  Debbie loved this job!

Then, Travis was born!  We moved to Jeannette, Pennsylvania, where I started to lead my first church.  Then, we moved to McClellandtown where Troy and Tracie were born.  Did Debbie continue to work?  Oh yes!  We kept her quite busy!  She loved being a mother and homemaker!

Upon arriving in East Liverpool, Debbie decided to take in several other children to supplement our income.  Our kids grew up playing with Franky and Angela and Abby and Michael and Louis.  I was often met by five or six children when I would walk in the door at the end of the day!  Although it was a noisy and sometimes messy job - she loved it!

When the kids started to school, Deb was hired to be a teller at the Tri-State Federal Credit Union in East Liverpool.  She made some great friends there and came to know many of the local residents through her work.  Their flexibility with her hours was generous and Debbie loved this job!  However, when the summer-off flexibility ended, she had to quit to be with the kids.

For one year after that she worked for her brother, Wally, at the farm.  She left East Liverpool at 5:00 AM, so she could deliver pigs to Pittsburgh - I'm not kidding!  Then, upon her return, she power-washed pig pens.  The upside:  she got to see her folks every day!  I don't really think she liked this job very much!

Then, we moved to Spencerville, Maryland, where Debbie fairly quickly was hired by a nice man to be office-manager of his small, air-conditioning shop.  It was a mile from home and he was very generous with Debbie regarding pay and necessary time off.  She loved this job!

Several years later, we landed in Akron, Ohio, where Debbie and I became 'respite' and 'shelter' parents to a long line of behaviorally challenged children.  We ran a licensed home for the Shelter Care Agency for nearly six years.  Eventually, I was hired at Cornerstone Church, which left Deb carrying the bulk of responsibility with our kids.  I doubt that she'd say she loved that job; but it was very fulfilling for us!

After Akron, we landed in New Middletown, Ohio.  Debbie was quickly hired to work as a teacher's aid for the learning disabilities class.  Debbie became really close friends with her teacher, Cindy;  they were an incredible team.  Debbie loved the children and seeing improvements in their learning skills!  She worked in this position for nine years and loved every minute of it!

Then...then I dragged her off to Changchun, China, where I was contracted to teach English to university students.  The first semester, Debbie was asked to teach a freshman pronunciation class.  Although overwhelmed, her students quickly fell in love with her and she enjoyed the experience. 

The next semester, the school did not ask her to teach.   So, Debbie became active as a private tutor and developed some very special relationships as a result.

At the beginning of our second year in China, the school asked her to teach full time - which she did until we left Changchun!  She taught science majors, freshmen, graduate students, and even a class of the brightest students in the university!  She made a deep impression on her students and enjoyed every part of the experience!

Upon our return to the United States, Debbie reacquired a position as an aid at Springfield Elementary School.  However, the trauma of adjustment, Travis' death and a very different class culture has caused her to struggle;  as a result, she has decided to retire!

Yep, you heard me right!  At the young age of sixty-five she's calling it quits.  She already talks about volunteering at a church's coffee shop.  She's also mentioned the possibility of a part-time job.  So, we'll see.  But, officially, the word's out.  Forty-seven years after starting at Kaufmann's - she's finished! 

And I say a hearty congratulations to her!  She's done it all with such grace and class!  She's truly an amazing woman.  Why?

Because along with all the jobs described above, she's

• kept me comfortable and happy,
• raised three kids,
• stayed actively involved in all our churches,
• taught classes,
• maintained friendships,
• kept our home organized,
• used her gift of hospitality throughout, and
• generally improved every life she's touched.

The world needs good examples today!  I suggest that my wife is as good an example as you're going to find!  I wish her rest and joy and peace and lots of time for reading. 

My biggest wish for her?  I hope she writes her book!  She has so many stories treasured up in her heart!  I truly hope she gets them out on paper for the world to enjoy!

Anyway, this Tuesday, November 24, 2015, is her last day!  Yay!