My husband called up from the bottom of the stairs, “Dinner’s ready!” I looked at my cell phone; it was 6:20 pm.  I yelled down my usual answer, “ I’ll be down in a little bit.”  I had more work to do and wanted to finish it before I stopped to eat.  As I went along working, I could hear my husband had turned the news on, and he had sat down to eat.

 

Have you ever had that twinge of a feeling that something isn’t right? I had this feeling that poured over me. It was ridiculous for me to be working through dinner each night and for my husband to be eating alone each evening.  To say I still hadn’t mastered work/life balance is an understatement.  I shook my head, thinking of myself, closed my laptop, and carried it and my phone downstairs. As my husband was finishing his dinner, I started eating – and at least we were together at the table.

 

I decided that evening that my goal I set in 2013 needed my attention and intention.

 

My passion for decades has been to make sure students with disabilities are seen as the complete, perfect human beings they are so they can walk through the front door of a school and learn beside their friends in general education classrooms.

 

I have done this work as a special educator, general education teacher, parent, consultant, student, education specialist, adjunct university instructor, public speaker, author, host of a weekly show, and advocate.  

 

Parents and educators like you have given me incredible opportunities to learn from and with you.  Thank you, thank you for that! Your advocacy questions and your quest to make sure all students are seen as competent learners have always spurred me to be a better advocate for kids.

 

Now it’s time for me to return to that goal I set for myself when my husband, son Dylan, and I moved to Idaho in 2013.  We moved from Colorado to be closer to our daughter and her family. I had visions of retiring (again), so we could settle happily into our grandparenting role.

 

However, within two weeks of moving, I attended a special education conference in Boise and met a dynamic special education attorney.  She soon began referring families to me, and I quickly came out of “retirement."

 

Now seven years later, I have a new timeline for retirement.

I’m continuing to work with families as an advocate until June 3, 2021. Between now and June, I’ll have at least one live Facebook show each month, a newsletter once or twice a month, and will continue posting on my Visions and Voices Together Facebook page.  

 

 After June 2021, I plan on having more time with my grandchildren, time to play with fiber arts, and relaxing.  Knowing that I cannot fully retire, I’ll continue to do some public speaking virtually and at live events.

 

2020 has been an exceptional year for all citizens of the world.  I know the impact of all the changes this year have especially affected you and your family. 
 

I want to make sure I still support you through the rest of this school year.  Please know I treasure your friendship and your persistence in advocating for your child and students.

 

As we begin 2021, we will keep on keepin’ on!

 

With much love,