30 Years & Out

from The Challenger, August 5, 2015, Front Page

Well, I'm looking at my draft posts  --  I started this one in August 2015. In the spirit of starting my genealogy journey with me and telling my own story, I finally finished (I think) this post.

After 30 years with the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, it was time to end our relationship.  As with any relationship when it's time, it's time --  and it's never good to prolong the inevitable.  I had a great career that started as a Clerk with the system on August 19, 1985 and I was fortunate to have may good working relationships with colleagues. I also met some great library patrons along the way.

"Get me my flowers while I can yet smell them" is the refrain of many elders in the African American community -- meaning don't wait to celebrate me when I'm dead, do it now so I can see/feel your appreciation for me.

I didn't want a retirement party or any special recognition, but the community spoke and there was a reception given for me at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library on my last last of employment -- August 21, 2015.  Big thanks go out to former supervisor (retired) and friend, Sharon Jordan Holley, for organizing the reception.

Yvonne M. Harris told her signature story,
"A Perfect Heart"
and presented me with custom-made heart

"Big Momma Boo, storyteller

Proclamation from the NYS Senate presented by
Senator Timothy M. Kennedy, 63rd Senate District

I usually have to sneak pictures of my daughter,
Elizabeth O. Bonds, who doesn't like her picture taken
(in pink top)

With my husband, Joseph Bush

With Kim Johnson, former
Library Page and one of the
first employees I supervised

With Library Director Mary Jean Jakubowski, Sharon Holley

With Yvonne M. Harris, County Legislator Betty Jean Grant
and Sharon Holley

With co-workers Lisa Perry and Fred Stancil

At the podium is Mr. William A. Miles,  Retired Assistant Library Director who hired me as a Clerk 30 years ago.

I was also presented with Proclamations from New York State Assembly, Honorable Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, 141st District; City of Buffalo Common Council, Council President Darius G. Pridgen, and given a copy of the Congressional Record Proceedings and Debates of the 114th Congress, First Session which was read into the Congressional record by Honorable Brian Higgins on August 19, 2015.

But by far, the best part of the day was the fellowship and good wishes of family, friends, co-workers, and the library community!