and so the next phase begins
Today was my last day of work. Some pressing personal obligations have made trying to focus at work difficult. Fortunately my boss and colleagues have prepared for my departure so they could agree to an earlier end date.
This gift of less responsibility will greatly help to reduce the stress that I have been struggling with when trying to split my energy and attention between work, family, and other responsibilities. Now I can focus my energy on family and know that work is okay.
The decision to leave a month early was made rather quickly, yet in spite of the short notice I was so touched by the really lovely pizza luncheon that was held in my honor today. There were visits from colleagues and extraordinary gifts. None of this was expected and it took a while for me to move from being embarrassed by all the attention to just relaxing and enjoying the fun.
As I began the drive home I felt relieved. Work is done and I feel I have left there on good terms. That was a very early lesson impressed upon me by my parents; always leave a job on the best of term as you never know what the future and your interaction with them could be. As long as it has been within my power I have done this and do enjoy being able to return to former places of employment and contact former co-workers and bosses with comfort.
Driving along I thought how I can now direct my time and energy towards family responsibilities and then as these get settled, move on to plan the activities and adventures that I want to fill my retirement: baking and cooking classes, quilting guilds, book groups, writing, and more motor trips.
A little further along I found myself overcome with sadness to the point that I was teary-eyed. Over the course of my time there I have developed a special fondness for a number of co-workers. These are folks that I not only shared work with but also bits and pieces of our personal lives. I don't just respect them for the valuable work they do, I really, really like them!
My heart was filled to overflowing because these very same folks interrupted their busy and demanding day to join me for lunch and wish me well.
It is such a wonderful gift to learn that these people who mean so much to me, well, it seems I mean something to them. WOW!
Thank you, truly thank you seems too simplistic but it is the fullest and most honest response I can give.
This gift of less responsibility will greatly help to reduce the stress that I have been struggling with when trying to split my energy and attention between work, family, and other responsibilities. Now I can focus my energy on family and know that work is okay.
The decision to leave a month early was made rather quickly, yet in spite of the short notice I was so touched by the really lovely pizza luncheon that was held in my honor today. There were visits from colleagues and extraordinary gifts. None of this was expected and it took a while for me to move from being embarrassed by all the attention to just relaxing and enjoying the fun.
As I began the drive home I felt relieved. Work is done and I feel I have left there on good terms. That was a very early lesson impressed upon me by my parents; always leave a job on the best of term as you never know what the future and your interaction with them could be. As long as it has been within my power I have done this and do enjoy being able to return to former places of employment and contact former co-workers and bosses with comfort.
Driving along I thought how I can now direct my time and energy towards family responsibilities and then as these get settled, move on to plan the activities and adventures that I want to fill my retirement: baking and cooking classes, quilting guilds, book groups, writing, and more motor trips.
A little further along I found myself overcome with sadness to the point that I was teary-eyed. Over the course of my time there I have developed a special fondness for a number of co-workers. These are folks that I not only shared work with but also bits and pieces of our personal lives. I don't just respect them for the valuable work they do, I really, really like them!
My heart was filled to overflowing because these very same folks interrupted their busy and demanding day to join me for lunch and wish me well.
It is such a wonderful gift to learn that these people who mean so much to me, well, it seems I mean something to them. WOW!
Thank you, truly thank you seems too simplistic but it is the fullest and most honest response I can give.
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