Ah, to lead a life of integrity.

By the way, i still do need to re-submit my name and email address for this blog to accept my comment.

Gloria, the thing about being “perceived” as a no- nonsense person, is that people are often surprised when the loving, warm and sensitive person comes out.
I can be no nonsense, but that is not the only Lynda. I don’t back down from a confrontation, but I don’t go out of my way to initiate them. What is very important (and I believe my mission here on earth) is to live a life of integrity. That is my middle name. And I am always being presented with situations where I find I am shining a spot light on those situations where integrity is missing.
I also think part of the reason Barbara’s story is so wonderful, is that the other person was willing and able to accept her gesture of kindness.
Your principal was willing to accept the Gloria we have all come to love.
And my executive director “prefers” people who are up front and no-nonsense, straight to the point. So he willingly accepts me.

Heaven Admin will fix this for us. I already sent him a note.

Hang on!

Loving you,

Gloria

Here’s what I think: Both Barbara and I were honest. Barbara wanted to give love, and she did so magnificently. Mr. Spring had crossed a line, and I wasn’t going to have it.

In a way I had turned the other cheek, because my usual way of dealing with things was to appease, and this time I did not.

If there is a key, I think it was that Barbara and I were both honest. She came from her heart of gold. Now, Barbara did some thinking. I did not think at all. I reacted BUT I did not complain or recriminate. I got right to the bottom line which was that I wanted to leave.

Lynda, I love your expression — No nonsense person. I would like to be that.

Somehow when I taught school, I knew, without thinking, which children to be tough with and which ones to be oh so gentle with. I didn’t think about it. I just seemed to know.

I miss Mr. Spring to this day.

You know my story about the raise, and everything. Well, I am still commuting, but only 4 days per week. I am still going to leave, when something else out there looks appealing and I am offered a different job.

But in the meantime, I responded to my executive director, the way you did your prinicipal. God knows that some people respond better to a direct no nonsense reply.
Just today, Jim asked me if I would consider moving closer (never, and leave my peaceful abode for a city of crime,,) so that I could take a Residential manager position. He said, “you are such an asset, and we need a no nonsense manager like you.” The increase and additional time on the road and constant calls, etc. don’t justify me even thinking about it. But he completely respects me, because of the way I responded to him in the summer. He ended the conversation with ” well, at least we have you doing something here to utilize your talents.”
This wouldn’t have happened if I would have brought him homemade cookies.

Sometimes Godde has to use a 2-by-4 to get through to us.

Sometimes water cleanses gently. Sometimes we need fire to burn away the detritus.

That’s all I got … LOL