Dorothy’s Bittersweet Goodbye

Yesterday was my official last day as clerk treasurer of my little town. As humorous as this may sound, I have been trying to resign from that position practically since the day I was appointed. And that was in December 2022. It was a tough job and I kept clicking my heels to take me somewhere else. I initially submitted my resignation in November. My last day was extended a couple of times. But yesterday it was officially official.

There are three board members, each with very distinct personalities. And, for the most part, we got along very well. They were definitely all very supportive of me because they knew the difficulties that came with the job. They helped me to find my way, but as watchful as they were, they couldn’t protect me from everything that went wrong.

I also worked along side a woman who was contracted by the town to get the office back in shape after several clerks came and went rather quickly. We worked together really well and we cleaned things up quite a bit. She is the total opposite of me but we got along very well. She was well ahead of most of the problems that the town was confronted with and guided the board members and myself through some tough decisions. She was watchful like Glenda, the Good Witch.

There were many pros to working as clerk treasurer. The office was less than a mile from my home. I made my own hours. I often had the office to myself and could listen to my music while I worked.

The cons to this job were many. My lack of understanding the numerous complicated processes didn’t help. The government continually requires much information be uploaded to their various sites. This on top of customers being furious with you for turning their water off for nonpayment. This small town is probably not much different from other towns with the insane meth problem, theft, fires, unruly neighbors, junk filled yards, etc., but here the ratio of good to bad seems to be off kilter. You know…the meter is leaning more toward the unpleasantries of living among people who simply don’t care.

Friendships were built during this past year and a half. Tears from a board member cut to my heart when I told him I was resigning. This man is a combination of both the Lion and the Tin Man.

And then there was the president of the board who visited most every day I was in the office. He always checked in to make sure I was doing okay. He wanted to stay on top of town issues that seemed to pop up daily as well. He would be my Scarecrow.

There are others in the community who are important to me as well. I wish I could have been more help in solving the problems that plague this little town. The issues have matured over the last couple of decades, so realistically they won’t be fixed in a day, a month, or even a year. But it was nice to know that many did not want me to leave. Even with all my inadequacies, I was asked to stay numerous times by several people. That was quite humbling.

So even though it was in my own best interest to leave, it was a definitely a bittersweet goodbye.

I’ve struggled for years with finding my niche. I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere. I am always in one strange land or another. The blessings, though, were in the friendships I gained along the way.

Another chapter is now closed in my book of life. But now after a final click of my heels, I’m penning a bright new chapter with D as we travel to a beautiful land filled with vibrant colors, fragrant flowers, and all sorts of wildlife. But most importantly love is found there. It is a place I can call home.

🌈♥️

Andi