Conference turris::womannotes-v3

799.0. "Parting is such sweet sorrow" by WFOVX8::ESCARCIDA (I have a dream....a song to sing) Mon May 06 1991 12:27

    There are some of us who have advance notice of their leave taking
    and who might want to do as I am doing.....saying good by. So, not
    knowing if perhaps the sign out note would be more appropriate I have 
    written a separate note to present the forum to do just that.  But.
    
    Moderators ....Please relocate if you feel this note belongs elsewhere.
    
    
    Saying goodby is never easy and I hate doing it....it is a death of
    sorts and as with death there is the grieving that must take place.
    
    I mourn not, my leaving this company, but the death of the Old DEC
    and the resulting losses of those folks caught up in the whirlpool of
    it's demise.  Those folks were/are people we worked with and loved now 
    gone....certainly not to be forgotten for they will live in our memories;
    some will become legends.
    
    I joined this conference about ten days after Maggie started it.....and
    although for the most part I remained read-only I always felt deeply
    connected.  I was proud of the achievement this conference represented
    and the great strides women had taken.  Here, the women were strong
    intelligent, courageous people who dared to challenge and to accomplish
    so much professionally and personally.   It was a far cry from the times
    when I grew up, where women had to take the back seat and sexism
    dominated the scene.   I remember that scene so well.....a young woman 
    with a baby to raise and very little money to do it with and the layoff
    that occurred and the resulting nightmare.  The ultimate insult, chosen to
    be laid off because the man I trained  had a family and between the two
    of us I had to go.
    
    Yes, the times have changed and yet they haven't.  It's gotten better
    but so much more needs to be done in field of multi-cultural awarness
    especially concerning race and gender issues.  We women, especially the 
    younger ones, must never forget the herstory of those women that went 
    before us and paved the way so that our paths to success were made much
    easier to traverse and in so doing we should give honor to their
    memories by exploring and expanding to our fullest potential. 
    
    Those women have shown us it is possible to touch the sky!
    
    The great accomplishments of women has never been more evident than in this 
    note file.....here I have read writing that has been as brilliant as
    any I have ever read, brilliant in scope, content, and clarity and as such 
    has served to give us all tremendous insight.  
    
    I have learned so much from you all and because of you I have grown as
    a mother, a woman, a professional and as a lesbian and I have had a greater
    understanding to my humanity as a result.  Thank you!
    
    In closing, I wish to quote a few lines from Emily Dickinson that sums
    up the way I feel at this moment:
    
    			Parting is all I know of heaven
    			And all I need of hell.
    
    Good by my friends, you will live in my heart always.
    
    Peace and Love to each of you,
    Addie Escarcida  
                                                          

    G'Day,
    
    	Now that was a great note!  It's a shame that you didn't write more
    in the file over the last five years.
    
    David.