Dot Hatfield

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I Have Retired

July 21, 2020 10 Comments

Yes. I’m retired, as of June 30, 2020. I’m trading my desk chair in for a back porch recliner.

This is actually my second retirement. In 2000 I left my position at a crisis center in Nashville, Tennessee, drew my Social Security, and moved with my 10-year old son to a small town in Arkansas where he could live in a neighborhood, ride his bike to school, and we could both be near family. After a  year or so of stay-at-home I decided, for economic reasons, I should work a few more years. I was certainly healthy enough to do that.

I was fortunate to land a job at Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Cooperative about a mile from my house. If you don’t know what an E.S.C. is, you should research it.  They provide an enormous service to Arkansas Schools. I was 67 years old. I can still hardly believe the Literacy Specialist I worked for and came to love and admire, hired a secretary old enough to be her mother.

I had thought the crisis center position was my dream job. I loved supporting therapists who helped victims of crimes.  I was contributing to a worthwhile effort.

But I soon found that being a secretary at the Co-op was a dream job, too. Eighteen years flew by.  Now it’s time for me to call it a career.

I hardly have words to express how I feel.  And I’m a writer!

May I borrow (and paraphrase) words from poet Conrad Aiken?

“Music I heard with you was more than music,
And bread I broke with you was more than bread.”

To my co-workers at WDMESC:

“The work we did together was more than a job, it was a calling. We were more than co-workers, we were family. We laughed together and prayed for each other. Sometimes we disagreed. Often we rolled our eyes. Being at WDMESC was a special time for me and I will always cherish the friendships I made there. I love you guys.

And don’t forget to turn in your schedules.”

Okay. Life of leisure here I come… unless another dream opportunity comes along.

Filed Under: Too General to Define

«« Arkansas Writers Hall of Fame

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Comments

  1. Angela says

    July 22, 2020 at 12:14 pm

    I know you are loved and will be missed dearly!

  2. Ellen Withers says

    July 22, 2020 at 12:26 pm

    I hope you will be thinking about your next writing project while you lounge on your back porch recliner. We love you!

  3. Gary Rodgers says

    July 22, 2020 at 12:27 pm

    Congratulations on your retirement. You are a blessing to us, as I am sure you were a blessing to your co-workers. I for one look forward to seeing more writing and celebrating your accomplishments.

  4. Mel Ash says

    July 22, 2020 at 3:01 pm

    Congratulations on retirement. I am sure the next chapter of your life will be filled with memory making adventures. ❤

  5. Freeda Baker Nichols says

    July 22, 2020 at 4:25 pm

    Happy retirement, Dot! Let the words flow to create more lovely books!

  6. Leasha Hayes says

    July 22, 2020 at 4:39 pm

    Your are truly one of the most amazing Ladies I have ever known. You are the image of the Proverbs 31 virtuous woman. Thank you for your friendship and prayer partnership. Come see us. Love you!

  7. Linda Quade says

    July 24, 2020 at 2:37 pm

    You are so very special! You always love whatever you are doing and you always give it your all!! I am blessed to have you Mom!!
    Put your feet up. Stay in your pjs all day if you want. Watch your favorite tv shows and eat all the cake and ice cream you want!!
    I love you
    Linda

  8. Ben Carrigan says

    July 28, 2020 at 9:30 am

    You are a true gem! I am so glad that our paths were able to cross. It was also great reminiscing about our previous stint in Nashville, TN…..rocky top! I wish you nothing but the best.

  9. Beverly Thompson says

    August 2, 2020 at 11:50 am

    Congratulations on your retirement! I know they will miss you, but are going to love it!

  10. Dorothy Johnson says

    August 26, 2020 at 9:42 pm

    As you can see, I’m playing catch up!
    Congratulations on your retirement. I have no doubt you’ll be writing up a storm or memorizing lines for a play when they finally let us return to such, I am sure they miss you and that your shoes will be difficult to fill.
    Congratulations also on your induction into the Writers Hall Fame. Well deserved!

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My Books

  • Worth the Candle
  • Did Anyone Read My Story?
  • An Ordinary Day
  • R.I.P. Emma Lou Briggs
  • To Find a Home
  • The Last To Know
  • Every Day a New Day

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Pages of Interest

  • Reflections from Dorothy’s Ridge
  • Charles Prier
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  • Freeda Nichols
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  • Talya Tate Boerner

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