Carol, a.k.a. Dream Weaver, is a great department chair. She keeps us in line, hates whiners (she told us that today in no uncertain terms), and conducts memorable meetings. At today’s meeting we were treated to an entertaining and thought provoking power point slide complete with pictures, quotes, music, and information about each of us. Before this morning I didn’t know that Tim was terrified of heights or that Joey has developed his own barbecue sauce.
Carol is also a fabulous cook, and at least a couple of times a year, we’re treated to some of her culinary creations…like the shrimp and grits casserole this morning. What a mouth watering experience that was! This morning she went even further beyond the call of duty in that she provided a miniature chocolate birthday cake, complete with candles. All twenty members of the department sang “Happy Birthday,” and I now think of the meeting as a party of sorts.
We got things done, and our minds are full of information about retention, advisement, graduation rates, and annual objectives. At the same time, we all feel a little closer to each other, and I think (know) that it’s largely due to Carol and her many efforts on our behalf. Towards the end of the power point, Carol inserted a photograph of some of us at Lisa’s wedding and included the words from the Beatles’ “In My Life.”
There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my live I’ve loved them all…
Though I know I’ll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I’ll often stop and think about them…
Great combination meeting/birthday celebration. In fact, I’m going to change that to “Life Celebration,” for I feel that that’s what we were doing. I just hope all of us can remember the lesson we were taught by our fearsome (oops, fearless) leader and that we’ll take heed to her last quote by Jonathan Swift: “May you live all the days of your life.”
mom's musings 
I listen to that song about once or twice a week on a CD I have in the car. I think the words to that particular song say it all.
You are also lucky to work with someone that motivates you.
Hey, don’t you work for your father-in-law? In you situation, the “fly in the ointment” seems to be a certain co-worker who shall remain unnamed.
By the way, where’s your blog? I keep looking for it, but….