Wow Barb, Congratulations! That is certainly the end of an era. I am sure it will be so strange for you after all those years. What a legacy tho, all those children's lives you have made a difference too. I still think fondly of my dancing teacher and that was more years ago than I care to admit. I know you will fill the time with lots of exciting things and your life just gets better and better. So glad I popped on the boards today. Once again many Congatulations.
I will be glad when the next 2 weeks are over. So much going on and so much work to prepare. Having houseguests next week for a couple of days - 4 adults - lots to tidy up and prepare for with food plans etc. Then I host our family reunion for app 50 guests. Hope it is a nice day - the party is intended for outside but it has rained 2 out of the past 3 years and we were forced in - pretty tight. The next day is my retirement party. It will be emotional no doubt and lots of little things to tend to. Then I'm going back to the cottage. I want to finish out the summer in peace and hopefully sunshine and heat.
Well, I can't even retire in peace. There is some betrayal involved. One of my longest, most trusted teachers opened a dance school behind my back with all my other staff and many of the students. She had agreed to buy my studio and signed an agreement never to take my students. She told me she was returning this year to learn the business (this was before I announced retirement) then went AWOL> When I finally confronted her she said she was not returning but was NOT opening a studio. My other employees all denied involvement,. Well that is not the case.
This is the 6th time this has happened to me in 36 years. I am trying to focus on the party and not on the backstabbers. They did not do this because I was retiring - they did it before, hoping it would force retirement.
but I CHOOSE to retire. I just feel bad that out of guilt, many of my students will not attend my party. They're off on their Dance Studio Honeymoon.
So sad.
Like living through another Affair and subsequent divorce. My daughter is so hurt as these were her friends and mentors.
Oh, Barb - what a terrible shame! I am astounded at how people can sometimes behave...
I hope that you have a good time at the party, anyway - you can still have the satisfaction that YOU lead a good and productive career, touching many young people's lives along the way!
That makes me feel better and it was what I wanted.
Today my former receptionist (who I've always really liked and treated her daughter like gold) posted something on Facebook about the new studio and a followup comment was added by one of the girls who worked for me. I found it tasteless and hurtful. Oh God - why am I so sensitive? and why are people so mean?
My sister wrote a reply addressing both of them (she has known and liked them both for years) asking them to be respectful and realize that we haven't even had the party and perhaps they can keep such comments to themselves. I think it took courage to do that.
I am almost inclined to write them an email and ask them to tone it down a bit. That I wish none of them anything but the best. But somehow I worry that even that might start a huge fiasco.
Oh Barb (((()))) I am so sorry this is happening. I suspect it has something to do with jealousies!
Rise above it all, cream rises to the top remember. Do not let it marr your retirement plans or your party. True friends will support you and hanger-on,-ers(is that a word)will be revealed.
It is hurtful because this was your baby, your lifes work. Let it go you are too gracious a lady to sink to their levels. It was you who taught me the life and lemons analogy- so come on girl get lemonade making,you have a party to organise.
Sometimes, the easiest way to make oneself feel good about themselves is to put down others who are better than them. I suspect that your former colleagues are like these.
Naej is right - rise above it - you have a party to get to!
I am so disheartened and sad today. I did not sleep last night. Yesterday afternoon my former receptionist wrote something "taunting" about the new dance school she apparently helped set up. One of my teachers chimed in, also in a taunting manner. Very kindergarten like. My sister saw it and was appalled and replied how disrespectful she thought they were being. And I had enough.
I wrote an email to all my staff (who have all quit) letting them know that I wished to retire in peace. That all I had expected from the was honesty and some respect. I stated in it that I had kept things going for a while for all of them since they obviously loved it. If they didn't - they might have let me know. I was careful to keep it professional and not to take shots. I reminded them that we are all good people, we all live in the same city and that we are all Christians.
My former secretary wrote a long, scathing response. She sent it to all the staff. She admits that whenever I was not there - they would plan out this new dance school but that she felt they respected me by not saying anything until after my dance recital. Ummm - they did not say anything to me EVER> She said they planned to come to my party but now will not (and no doubt will convince others).
this former secretary is also the personal secretary to the pastor at MY church. How do you like that? She did not like my "Christian" mention. She asked what this had to do with being Christian and how I created drama by saying that.
I just feel sick. Hatred is so contagious. I did nothing wrong. If they did not like my dance studio - why did they not leave?
I am sick and just venting here. I did not sleep all night. I cry every time someone talks to me today. Josh is coming from Toronto after work. He did not sleep either. Said he will take me out for dinner. Ummm - in my city? UGH! But still - nice to do that.
My daughter just aches. I said in my letter that this hurts her so much (she had told me and also told me to send the letter). She was like a sister to so many of them and loved them all. The secretary's response was that she couldn't understand how it upset Ashley because she didn't dance last year. No - but she danced for 16 years!
