Bittersweet Day Ahead

Today is my last day of work for New Smyrna Orthopedics. I have loved that job more than any other job I've ever had, and have developed strong relationships with many of my coworkers.

And even though they know I don't like to be a surprise center of attention, Karen and our office manager surprised me yesterday with two things I like very much--Chick Fil A and vanilla cake with vanilla frosting. And it was no ordinary cake. I actually cried when I saw it, it was just so ugly and beautiful and childlike and delicious all at the same time.

I think the tears came when I read the caption. Karen said she and the other girls spent some time thinking of how to get the word "treasure" into their goodbye cake message.

And isn't that so true? We tend to flippantly refer to treasure as meaning gold or jewels or things a dragon would hoard that you find buried or in a dragon's den somewhere. But one thing I've learned during the past few years is that there are treasures EVERYWHERE.

And I will treasure the memories made during my time at NSO.

Here's a pic of me when Karen said, "Oh, I Just have to do this." I am notorious for avoiding huggy-kissy displays of affection in the office, so I played my part, but couldn't help smiling.

I had to leave to take Joe to the airport right after I ate a few bites of Chick Fil A, so I didn't have time for a piece of cake, but I did swipe my finger along the blue rim of frosting before I left. I'll have a piece today, for sure. Oh yeah, there was even a little treasure map stuck in the cake, and it coincidentally had a cross on it, which is a feature in one of my solves:

So, today I feel a little bittersweet. I have absolutely loved that job and the people I worked with. But, at the same time, I'm starting a new chapter of my life, with new adventures ahead, and I'm excited about that.

Anyway, I got Joe off to CA last night, even though we were waiting at the airport in Orlando (which was very crowded) for hours as we waited for storms to pass.

So, tomorrow will bring with it's sunshine a new adventure in my life. I'm excited, thrilled, and in anticipation of the awe I'm sure I'll feel when exploring southern Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.

We have a lot we want to do in the week we'll be there, and are looking forward to seeing old friends and making new friends at Fennboree.

Happy Freyja/Frigga's Day!