Sadly, with all work, a remodeling of the Research Office also meant a departure of Susan who sort of fell victim to the paradigm of non-tenured staff. I had nothing but tremendous joy working with her, although the numbers game is stressful and the paperwork of grants never seems to be finished.
Still, we've stayed in touch, she went on to earn another degree, and both she and her daughter remain loyal to the campus. I can't believe Elizabeth graduated with her Masters this year.
Anne, too, another grant writer with million-dollar projects, was also a die-hard Susan fan. We knew what the work took, who'd help to get it achieved, and where the answers would arrive. All roads led to Susan's office while she was there.
Yesterday, we had lunch at Sophias (the potato, lead, and mussels appetizer is my favorite). It was wonderful celebrating Anne's retirement and to catch up with Susan's happiness since she left. I now want to have her over for her interior decoration talent, since she's started that business upon leaving.
These two have been the rare angels in my work at Fairfield University and I appreciate them both so much. I love when time can be made to meet with good people on a Monday afternoon. This is the joy, I suppose, of summer.
