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Saying Good-bye

Dana Murphy

I joined the team at Two Writing Teachers three years ago, and I vividly remember the humility and honor with which I wrote my first blog post…and every post since then. Stacey and the rest of the team at Two Writing Teachers have become not only my most valued professional mentors but also some of my dearest friends. So, it is with a heavy heart that I say good-bye.

For a long time, I have struggled with the work-family balance of being a working mom. I love writing and I love this blog. I love my family too, though, and sometimes we are faced with tough choices. My work-family balance has been tilting precariously for some time now, and I feel it is time to re-calibrate and focus on my husband and daughters.

Stacey, Beth, Betsy, Deb, Kathleen, Lisa, and Melanie – you are the smartest women I know. I am honored to know you and am thrilled to join the ranks of your faithful readers. Keep writing.

Dana

Published by Dana Murphy

Literacy Coach, Reader, Writer

30 thoughts on “Saying Good-bye”

  1. Dear Sweet Dana,
    You have long been a mentor author for me and I learn so much through your stories. I miss you here on the blog and in our google hangout “staff meetings!” I always felt I could be a forever friend with you, then when I met you at NCTE 2016 it was like we had been friends forever! Thankfully Dana, this part never has to change! Miss you my friend!

    Enjoy those adorable girls, crappy dinners
    and family days!

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  7. Congratulations on your decision to put your needs and goals first. Best wishes for a grand new adventure. I hope to hear your voice in comments here when your time and energy permit. Thank you for three inspiring years!

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  9. Dana,
    We live our lives in many chapters. As this chapter of blogging for TWT closes, other family chapters will open. Your stories from the lake house and of your girls are moments that I’ve enjoyed as a “visitor” with you!

    Best wishes!

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  10. Dana, it’s been a pleasure to know you through your writing here at TWT. We hope you’ll still slice with us and keep us up-to-date with your family and your girls. This time goes by so fast. I totally understand your decision.

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  13. Dana, even without children in my home these days, I often find keeping life in balance poses many challenges. The ebb and flow of life necessitates that we recalibrate from time to time.

    Wishing you all good things as you refocus and find balance.

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  14. Knowing WHEN to say goodbye is an art in itself. Taking care of ourselves means giving and then sometimes moving out of that lane. I’ve done it several times in moving from teacher, barbershop quartette, college adjunct (whew!), grant writer, teacher again, and storyteller. I’ve been blessed that storytelling is so diverse. All my gigs (many of which include the teaching of writing), are such joy. Happy balance-finding. BRAVO!!!!

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  18. I have so enjoyed your posts and learned from them as well. But…I admire your decision. Your family deserves first place and you are putting them there. Those little girls will grow up so quickly and you’ll want to savor every minute of it. Well, almost every minute. The “I can’t stand so-and-so” episodes that goes along with rearing girls can be more than challenging, but, it’s a phase hat only lasts a few years. You wouldn’t want to miss it, right?

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  20. Ever since mid-September, when you told me you were leaving, I’ve been sad. Today is the cherry on top of that sadness. Thank you for staying on until I returned from maternity leave. You’re such a good person.

    You’ve been such a valuable member of our writing team for the past 3+ years. Your commitment to teaching young writers is admirable. We’ve learned from you. Thank you for taking us along on your teaching and coaching journey.

    In the words of Gilda Radner, I leave you with this: “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.”

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  26. Dana, it has been an honor to be a co-author with someone as smart, hardworking and insightful as yourself. I always looked forward to your posts and the wisdom I would gain from reading them. You are a gifted writer, educator and mom and I hope this time with your family yields unforgettable memories. I am going to miss you! (Really hope you Slice when you can so we can keep reading about Maddie and Katie’s adventures!

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  27. I have loved reading your posts, and completely understand your decision. May this decision bring you the balance you need; family is precious!

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  28. You will be greatly missed! I have learned SO much from you and am so thankful for your time here, encouragement as a writer, and friendship. You have such courage to shift your attention in this time of your life! I am so inspired by you.

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  29. You are a courageous woman. You will be creating new snapshots each and every day that will inform your daughters’ futures. A writer is always brainstorming, drafting and editing. The genre, the emotions, the lens and the audience just change.

    To the future… with admiration…

    Dale, an educator for 48 years. I continue to craft my story each day.

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