By Whitney Hobson
I heard the news from a colleague via text message: “Hey! Did you say that lady you liked in Portales was Pattie Dobson?”
Me: Yes!
Colleague: I don’t know if you saw but she passed away. I believe it was today, it was announced on Facebook on the ENMU communications page.
Although I was not close to this colleague, she communicated about our beloved Dr. Dobson and the link to my pursuit of a master’s degree in communication; she had significant news about a person with a heart of gold–whose giant heart failed and who has left a gaping wound in the ENMU-Communication culture. In honor of our fearless leader, I share an email I sent to Dr. Dobson in early July (she may or may not have seen it).
I have definitely been on a whirlwind journey these past three semesters.
In many ways, it has given me hope, feeling the freedom to write and have an expression, I hadn’t already been cultivating. You are such a gift as a human, advisor, and professor. I am always up for lending letters of recommendation to anyone who says otherwise…or in retirement, if you need vouching, I got you!
I began a permanent subbing position at Lake Arthur Municipal school, between Roswell and Artesia, not much out there. Pre-K thru 12th grade, 160 students in the whole district. Divine intervention! I began subbing middle school/high school science, seven weeks at the end of last semester, their beloved coach/ science teacher suddenly passed away. So I stepped in and actually acquired a position for this school year. Amazingly, by knowing the superintendent for a number of years and them needing bright lighted people, I am going to take the leap!
My classes to instruct:
12th grade ELA
Middle school FCS
High school FCS
Greenhouse Management
K-5 yoga and dance…
Plus, I signed up with LEAP NM to take their alternative licensure program this year, to finish in June 2025. The LEAP program may guarantee 12 college credit hours towards my masters in education? And in the meantime, is there a chance to take a break from Communication classes to complete this endeavor, make money, and add to my confidence?
Some other highlights away from our classes, news: last October I stopped seeing a potential love interest, who was a ‘word on the street womanizer/alcoholic,’ I chose sobriety. I kept sharing with my mom my emotions, my struggles, and suffering. In March, my dear friend Alicia read in Time magazine about PMDD, which sadly, I may have been suffering with for 20 years, so with medication, dietary changes, and continued self kindness…there is success on that end. In April I became Catholic by taking RCIA, my sacraments of confession, communion, and confirmation. And my grandma’s house is almost ready to move into, it’s a special place to have peaceful views, beautiful kitchen meals, and quiet creativity.
All this being said, I love you. Thank you. Thank you.
You truly helped me out of some serious cycles, I didn’t know I kept being in.
So writing and being heard has been a gift for my soul.
With Sincerity,
Whitney Hobson
