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All day yesterday at the WLA I had no idea how to feel. Part of me wanted to be extremely happy, another wanted to cry. Part of me could not have asked for a better last day at a place that has become home to be this summer, but I didn't, and still don't, want it to end. It was an emotional day to say the least. And fair warning, there will be a lot of rambling, but just bare with me. 

Let's start at the beginning. When I began work yesterday I was so close to being done with the Virginia Broderick digital collection that I knew I had to finish before going to home. I was so close that I could count the number of pieces that needed metadata on my hands and toes (when you begin with 283 pieces, not including the compounded items when there are usually 4 to a single heading, the prospect of 20 is absolutely amazing!) It wasn't so much that I wanted to be done, it was that I wanted it to go online. I wanted everyone else to see the collection that I have grown so fondly of. I woke up everyday excited to go to work on it, and while I know others will not have that feeling, they can at least see how beautiful the work is and how lovely of a person Virginia is. I wanted everyone else to see what I have been seeing for about a month now. To be completely honest, I also want to go on the WLA website and see my work. I want that moment of looking through the collection while thinking to myself "I did that. I created this." I want that feeling of accomplishment. And here comes the contradictions. As much as I wanted to finish this project, I knew that it was my last project of the summer and that as soon as I finished I would be done with work. I knew the second I finalized everything and submitted it to Kristin, there was no need for me to come into work anymore. The day that I have been dreading since the second I started working there. 

I have never loved a job more than I have enjoyed working at the WLA. It's hard to explain. I honestly think that I am in denial that I'm not going back Monday morning. I can say without a doubt that it has become home to me and I will try to sneak up there as much as I can this semester. I mean I won't stalk the place don't worry I'm not that crazy of a former employee which I am sure I am about to come off as, but I will pop by and say hi. Everyone at the WLA has profoundly shaped my life in a way that I never could have imagined. Beth. I almost have no words to describe how much that woman means to me. First off, she has absolutely been the best boss I could have ever asked for and I feel honored to be able to say that she was my boss. She treated me as an equal and valued my opinions after so many other bosses saw me as "just an undergraduate student" aka I had the IQ of a five year old. But more than that, she was my mentor. She taught me the most impactful life lessons I have ever gotten without even knowing it. When we would sit around and just share life stories, she taught me so many things about life and how to truly be a good person. The way she views the world, and everyone around her, is inspiring. And her happiness, it's contagious. Again, I don't know to describe it. She is by far one of the most amazing women that I have ever met, and if I grow up to be half as intelligent, amazing, and a beautiful person inside and out, I will feel as though I succeeded in life. Then comes the grad students. I don't know how I could have gotten through the summer without them. They also taught me life lessons, but different ones. For example, Kristin is one of the most intellect people I have ever met, but she would never tell you that. She walks to the beat of her own drum and makes everyone else want to follow that drum as well. She was also there to help me with anything I asked, even asking her friends on my behalf if she did not know the answer, and always made me happy the second I walked into the door. I have no doubt she will be the best interim director possible until they find a replacement. Rachel is just as amazing. I knew if I had a question about applying to grad school she would give me the best advice. Without her's and Kristin's help, I would be incredibly lost in this whole process. But the thing about Rachel is that she sees the best in everyone no matter what. The way she looks at the world is amazing. She was always happy and it's hard not to be happy around her. I always loved the days when she was working at the same time as me. And Laura. While I didn't get to spend as much time with her as the others, she was still amazing. I gave me practical advice about being a teacher, and was brutally honest with me to a point that no one else was. And getting to know her at the going away party last night was absolutely amazing. She, also, is just a fantastic person. Anyone reading this please don't think I am doing this to suck up. Frankly, I doubt any of them will read this, and my grades are already in so I have nothing to "gain" from saying all this. I'm sharing this to show how special of a place the WLA is. It's a home and no where else in the world will you find somewhere as amazing as this place. It is not just the people that makes it amazing though. Their purpose also does. They want to highlight women who changed the world. Women that I hope to share this category with someday. They work to show what women can accomplish, even when it was the social norm to not let them. And as much as I have rambled on about this place, it does nothing to actually show how amazing it is. As I read this over, it comes off as flat, when it is anything but. There are no words that can accurately show my gratitude, love, and respect I have for the third floor of Piper Hall, and the women who occupy it. 

So there is the contradiction. I wanted to be done, but I desperately wanted to stay. I hate knowing that I won't be back there first thing Monday morning. And now more contradictions. Yesterday was Beth's last day as well. It was said last night "I am so happy for you for this opportunity and so happy you are taking it, but you're breaking my heart." Exactly. I couldn't be happier for Beth to be moving to Wayne State, but I want her to stay here. I know she will do absolutely amazing there, and it's a great career move, but I wanted to see her on campus. I realize that I am being selfish, but it happens. It does help that she is moving to where my boyfriend is from so I will get to see her whenever I go back to the Detroit suburbs. Last night's going away party was amazing. Having it in Piper was perfect. So while it was incredibly sad why we were there, it was perfect. Getting to hang out with Kristin, Beth, Rachel, and Laura one last time that way was fantastic. It was absolutely perfect. So while I am so unbelievably sad to watch it end, it was the perfect ending. It was one of those nights where I had to come home, stuff my face with Chinese food with my boyfriend while he constantly told me "don't be sad that it ended. Be happy it happened." The most cliché thing he could have said, but extremely appropriate at the same time. Those women, and this internship have impacted me so profoundly that I almost don't have words for it and I so incredibly grateful. They made it not just a job. They made it home.