I’m feeling both humbled and grateful as I prepare for retirement in just a few weeks. Recently, two publications have shared stories about my work — one focusing on my book, The Grief Committee Minutes, in our local newspaper, and another in Florida Veterinarian magazine,  about my 35-year journey as director of communications at the UF College of Veterinary Medicine.

While it feels I’ve gotten more than my share of attention recently, more than I deserve, I thought some of you might be interested in these reflections on the work that has meant so much to me over the decades. The stories capture not just my longtime personal and professional passions, but also the incredible collaborative environment and dedicated colleagues who have made this career so fulfilling. I’ve always felt like I won the lottery when I landed my position at UF so long ago; it was such a wonderful landing spot for me as a growing young professional, and I can’t believe my luck in having been able to stay as long as I have.  It’s been a career that allowed me to do the things I love, to meet incredible people and form bonds with colleagues and veterinarians all over the country that will remain long after I’ve turned in my badge and my office key.

If you’re interested in reading either piece, I’ve included the links below.

• The Gainesville Sun, our local newspaper, featured this wonderful article by Voleer Thomas.
• Florida Veterinarian magazine, for donors and alumni of the UF College of Veterinary Medicine, a magazine I initiated and developed 35 years ago and have edited ever since. This is my last issue, so bittersweet. My thanks to Bill Levesque for writing this wonderful piece.

 I deeply appreciate everyone who has been part of my professional journey; this is my website for poetry,  so I rarely write about my job here. However, my  job has always been such a key part of who I am, and everyone who knows me understands my many emotions at the thought of leaving. At the same time — and it’s taken me a while to be able to say this — I know I am as ready as I’ll ever be. I’m even getting excited about what lies “on the other side.” I have a big stack of books, along with the rest of my life, that are waiting for me.