Getting Ready To Say Good Bye

I have 6 more weeks (and half a day) left to work. This morning I’m thinking of all the friends I’ll miss, the family I am leaving. While I am ready to go, leaving my co-workers makes me sad. I want them all to know what they have meant to me over the years, how much they have added to my life. I plan on writing them each a short note, telling them how important they have been to my life. I want to, I need to … but somehow I don’t know how to start.

First I think I’ll start with Ke, I’ve known her the longest and she is my husband’s ethical twin. But then I tell myself-I can’t start with her. I have too much to tell her. There is too much to say, but I can’t say it. I can’t tell her how much she has meant to me over the years, it’ll sound mushy and neither of us are the mushy type. It will be easier to start with someone else and work up to Ke.

So I think I’ll start with La-she’s the newest. But she has only been here for a few days and I don’t know her well enough to say anything personal. I have to have more time to get to know her.

I could write one to Dy, but we are sisters in so many ways, each one of 5 siblings, each cursed with a big mouth and each the mother of two. How do I write a note saying thanks for sharing this time, when the time isn’t over yet?

Or Ti-Ti is a younger, cuter, more energetic version of me. We have similar parenting styles; we are both goofy and have a good sized touch of the free spirit. How do I put in words all she has added to my life? She makes me laugh. She pushes me to parent more and help the boys grow up and learn to cook and do their own laundry. She has a big heart.

Or My, My is the me I would like to be. She is kind, loving and generous. She used to be the one to organize all that needs to be organized, though now a few of the newer co-workers have started to share that responsibility. She always has an open ear and a willing heart. At the same time she is strong and self assured. She may not do it often, but when appropriate she can and does put a transgressor loving in their place.

Pt – Writing his note is the one that will be the hardest because it is the one that matters the most to me. And I don’t know where to start.

Rh-she loves my boys almost as much as I do. And I love her son in the same way. I always find myself smiling when I think of Ruth. She is smart, creative, generous and loving.

De-she lent me her daughter-to watch my boys when they were young. De is a person who believes in commitment and honor. She is a strong woman and a caring woman.

In fact I think the reason the people I work with are so important to me is they are all loving, caring people. They all reach out and help. I will miss them all very much.