This day has long been anticipated. In fact if it weren't for the economic downturn in 2007-08 and the fallout it brought about, this day would have happened a few years earlier. Today, I finished my last day of work!
I do try not to over think or dramatize these types of things. Leaving a job is something I've now done 27 times in my life and each time it has been on my terms. (Yes, I know I have been one of the really lucky ones.) It seems to me that once someone leaves someone else comes in and more than fills the void. So as expected, like clockwork about noon today all the messages coming in through e-mail stopped. Perhaps this often happens on a quiet Friday afternoon and I haven't noticed, but today I did. There is a new leader in my/her office and she's now fielding the questions and giving answers.
After over 40 years of work I feel pretty good. There was not a single job I didn't learn something from; some of the lessons were more palatable than others, but nonetheless learning took place. I can also walk away from work knowing in each case I did the best I could do with the skills I possess. Sometimes the skills needed and my abilities weren't the best of matches, but I tried to make a go of it anyway. I feel satisfied that each employer did get the best I had to offer. (There is something to be said about growing up on a farm, sitting at a desk and using one's brain seems so much easier than the physical work farming requires. I guess I should thank Mom and Dad for making my Midwestern work ethic real for me.)
There was another going away thing today in the office. Since I have for years brought in baked goods at least once a month for birthdays, the team brought in baked goods for me. The best was baked chicken wings! Other more inside the box items included cookies, cakes, cupcakes, cheesecake, squares or bars depending on where you come from, pies and berries. Yes, yes, I write this with a sugar high.
Finally, I tip my hat to the hard working team of colleagues I said goodbye or rather so long to today. They are very dedicated and diligent workers. And although I won't miss the work, I will miss each of them. Carry on~~~~~
I do try not to over think or dramatize these types of things. Leaving a job is something I've now done 27 times in my life and each time it has been on my terms. (Yes, I know I have been one of the really lucky ones.) It seems to me that once someone leaves someone else comes in and more than fills the void. So as expected, like clockwork about noon today all the messages coming in through e-mail stopped. Perhaps this often happens on a quiet Friday afternoon and I haven't noticed, but today I did. There is a new leader in my/her office and she's now fielding the questions and giving answers.
After over 40 years of work I feel pretty good. There was not a single job I didn't learn something from; some of the lessons were more palatable than others, but nonetheless learning took place. I can also walk away from work knowing in each case I did the best I could do with the skills I possess. Sometimes the skills needed and my abilities weren't the best of matches, but I tried to make a go of it anyway. I feel satisfied that each employer did get the best I had to offer. (There is something to be said about growing up on a farm, sitting at a desk and using one's brain seems so much easier than the physical work farming requires. I guess I should thank Mom and Dad for making my Midwestern work ethic real for me.)
There was another going away thing today in the office. Since I have for years brought in baked goods at least once a month for birthdays, the team brought in baked goods for me. The best was baked chicken wings! Other more inside the box items included cookies, cakes, cupcakes, cheesecake, squares or bars depending on where you come from, pies and berries. Yes, yes, I write this with a sugar high.
Finally, I tip my hat to the hard working team of colleagues I said goodbye or rather so long to today. They are very dedicated and diligent workers. And although I won't miss the work, I will miss each of them. Carry on~~~~~
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| The hard working group taken in December 2013 (not everyone was present) |
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