Cheri Powell

My friend Cheri Powell is retiring after many, many years of teaching. Cheri is one of those rare people who everyone loves. You won't find a single person who has one bad thing to say about her - and I don't think I've ever heard her say anything bad about anyone. She's just the epitome of a truly nice person.

Yesterday I went to her retirement party at West Point Elementary. I laughed more than I have laughed in a very long time, and I realized why I miss being at a school. There was a sense of real family in the room. I saw and talked to my best friend from high school, and still one of my dearest friends, Rose Ann Thompson. The years fall away when we get together. To me, she looks exactly how she looked in high school - probably because she DOES still look how she looked. She's still beautiful. I saw and talked to so many people who have played so many different roles in my life - and who continue to do so.


Cheri was surrounded by people who love her and she handled every minute of the day the way she handles everything - with humor and grace and style. And while I know she'll miss THIS chapter in her life, I know - without a shadow of a doubt - she'll embrace the NEXT chapter with the same humor, grace, and style.

I want to grow up to be just like Cheri Powell :-). I want to handle THIS life transition of mine with the same humor, grace, and style. Of course I'll never be like Cheri...we're all different...and there is only one Cheri. But I can learn from her and use her as an example.

Thank you, Cheri, for everything you've done for the children and adults in your life so far...take a deep breath...the best is yet to come!