Today is my last day at work! I have such mixed feelings. I know that bittersweet thoughts are common during times of major change — there is a nostalgic look back at the fond memories of the past, and there is the excitement of anticipating new and different future possibilities. It seems that I have been wanting this moment to come for a long time, and, now that it’s here, I’m not quite sure that I’m doing the right thing.

This day promises to be even more “bitter” than a typical day of moving on since I have many misgivings concerning the job that I am leaving. Yesterday I participated in interviews for a potential successor to me at the high school. Despite my best efforts, I fear that my recommendations will be ignored and the son of a political insider will be given this job. My fear is that all the time and effort that I put in, my blood, sweat, and tears, will be wasted and undone, that the Athletic Department will become a poorly administered shadow of its former self, and that the kids at the high school and middle school will suffer.

My gut says, “just walk away and don’t worry about it; the school committee will get what they deserve.” My dilemma is whether I should just leave and not look back or return after my vacation and help out. . . What a quandary!