Final Week

I heard from Medical:

Hi Rick,

Wow!  Thank you so much for your kind words :)

I'm working on tying up the last couple of loose ends with the staff in Madagascar.  Thanks for your patience and good cheer throughout this process.  I'll keep the ball moving as quickly as I can.

Best,
Lisa

Which has me a little concerned. I'll never feel certain until I am on the plane.

Copper and I went out shopping - for whatever we thought we could use - more games, some protective pillow cases, more games, index cards, more games. Met up with Natalie and went to an accountant for taxes. It's early but we wanted to get them taken care of before I left.

Got Quinn Orr on the phone. He was another senior producer at the church publishing department with me and one of the top ten mentors in my life (though I probably only have 6 or 7). He was instrumental in hiring me for my dream job as a senior producer in 2010. I've lost touch over the years since I was let go as a part of the reduction in 2013. He was also one of the three people who submitted a reference on me for the Peace Corps. I made sure I told him of my respect and love for all he's done and how he has influenced me. Often, few people automatically know they have made a difference in our life unless they hear it directly.

It's important to connect with and express appreciation for the people I will be leaving behind. There a possibility I'll not talk with them again for two years. And what if they move or change  phone numbers or worse. I should not expect the world to still be there when I return. Again - it is a little like dying - but I know the time and circumstances.