Tomorrow is my last day as Facilities Manager at Mars Hill Graduate School. I have had this job for 2.5 years — it has been my only job while living in Seattle — and tomorrow it is over. I am saddened and elated. I am sorrowful and gladdened.

Many marvelous thing have happened while working on this job. I got to know some marvelous people, some of them are no longer employess and some of them are. Bev Westlake, Phil Hamre, Dori Reed, Alice Jovich, and Dan Kronstad thank you for getting to know me while I spent time at Mars Hill, both as a student and an employee. Christie Lynk thank you for pursuing me, even in the midst of your own sorrow. Jason Best thank you for calling me to wisdom and to patience. Zach Brittle thanks for the first nickname I have ever had. Lisa Philabaum (Vinyl) thanks for your laughter. Amie Armstrong thanks for Teriyaki and the gas mask. Kristen and Jeff Houston thank you for lunches and for a blossoming friendship. Molly Kenzler thank you for your smile, charm, wisdom, love, and inspiration. J.Paul Fridenmaker thank you for letting me talk to myself in our office and for caring the torch that is the pig hat. Paul Steinke thank you for being a foundation for which I can flounder on. Dan Allender thank you for teaching me the power of story and for the opportunity that once was. Ron Carucci thank you for our many lunches and curb talks.

Tomorrow will be a day of nostalgia, a day of remembering what was, what wasn’t, and what will be.

peace
Joel