Closing the Door

Two final days of work (yes, I actually had things to do - many "case briefings" to write, lots of odds and ends, and organizing some files to pass on...almost the usual multi-tasking, detail-oriented brain jam that was much of the previous twelve years). Two co-workers took me out to a lovely lunch yesterday and two brought me flowers today....many stopped by for departing congrats and/or expression of envy. I didn’t know what to expect and don’t usually go in for much ceremony, sooooo, this felt good…to leave on an up-note. I will stay a bit connected to some events…one in a couple weeks, so that also made for a “soft landing”.

I sent the last email. Hit “shut down” for the last time. Changed the voice mail message. Many small acts of what was once routine – now a certain form of finality.  I slid the name plate out and stood at the door to my office…looking back in.  Still a desk and bookshelf, but it was….bare. Empty. I thought about the final process of getting there – reviewing and purging paper…and more paper….emails…stuff.  A gradual letting-go, separating. I closed the door. I walked down the stairs and out the front door, which closed behind me…for the last time as an employee…here or possibly any place. It felt…really….good. It felt really… right. And pretty exciting. Now what? Stay tuned (I almost said “Dear Readers” as though I was the Amy Adams character in Julie and Julia) Forgive me. I’m getting ahead of myself.