HOW DO YOU SAY "GOODBYE" AFTER 15 YEARS?
I didn’t really get to know Mrs. Fielder until her son, Brian, was in my morning 2
nd grade class. She was the mom who always volunteered. If I needed a classroom project typed, classroom documents embellished, really anything, she would happily help. I remember her big smile and her servant’s heart. As time marched on, MCS needed a preschool teacher. Laurie agreed. Her class was the best behaved 3-year-old class we have ever seen. Organized, prepared, fully capable. Those are the words I would have used to describe Laurie then. Now, in addition I would add trustworthy, grace under fire, and remarkable.
In 2006, MCS needed someone to handle the finances of the school. Laurie stepped up and worked to earn the title Administrative Assistant and Bookkeeper. With Laurie in that position, it allowed MCS to pursue a dream that was a long-time coming; to be accredited. Laurie had the needed organizational skills to make that dream a reality. As you all know, when Laurie sets her mind to something, it will be accomplished and completed skillfully. This character quality has been a significant part of all the processes and procedures that make MCS what it is today. Laurie has been extremely involved in documenting for accreditation and for our everyday needs, all the paper behind policies and all the mechanics that keeps everything running smoothly. Over the years, Laurie’s role at MCS has evolved from a reliable 2
nd grade volunteer, to teacher and colleague, to an important and valuable component in the mechanism and movement of MCS.
What does this mean for MCS? It means that we have been the beneficiaries of 15 years of irreplaceable focused work, countless prayers, tears of sadness and tears of joy. When I say beneficiaries, I wish we could say grateful beneficiaries. But Laurie has a difficult job. Her job is to guard the finances of the school. This is not an easy task. It is not easy to say, “I’m sorry, that does not fit in our budget.” Can you hear the collective sighs that she has had to endure? And the countless phone calls ordering, comparing, following up, investigating…
We have been blessed! After August 15th it will not be Laurie’s voice you hear on the other end of the phone when you have questions about E-care, billing, field trips, etc. - it will be someone else’s. We will officially be recognizing Mrs. Fielder's retirement at the Awards Chapel in June. For now, it is not goodbye, it is celebration of sacrifice and faithful service to God, parents, students, staff, and to me.
