My first work day not at work

I woke up at 4 a.m. today.  I’ve been doing that for about a week now.  So many things flashing through my mind that sleep just doesn’t seem to be an option.  Crazy huh?  Here I am, finally able to sleep as long into the day as I want and … instead of sleeping I’m finding myself lying awake, listening to the early morning (or is it middle of the night?) sounds, and thinking about all of the things that I want to do.  Today.

Let me go back a few days to my last hours at work.  On Thursday, my penultimate working day, I spent the day organizing my computer files, deleting old e-mails, packing up the last of my belongings, and chatting with all of the wonderful people who dropped into my office to say goodbye.  At 4 o’clock David picked me up and we headed down to the Duke of Somerset pub.  As I entered the pub and saw my dear friend Esther sitting there I almost tripped in my surprise; she’d come in all the way from London, Ont (a 2 hour train ride away) and she’d kept her coming a secret.  The next two hours were filled with more and more of the same kinds of “oh my goodness” moments.  There was Gary who’d been in graduate school with me (28 years ago), Hazel who’d worked with me at one of the schools I’d taught at (20 yearsago), Rina who’d worked with me in Kosovo, Pauline who’d been a former Director; colleagues and co-conspirators, people who’d nurtured me, and mentored me, and taught me.  There were the people who’d been my life-long friends and those who’d become friends over the years.  Some of my family was even able to be there, which made it all the richer.  For those two hours I just revelled in memories that kept a grin on my face.  Their presence, and their words, filled me with a sense of gratitude and joy for the work I’ve been able to do and the wonderful people who have supported me and worked with me.  Seems that – at least to those who spoke – I’ve made some contributions after all.  I think I’ll still throw a party for my family and friends who couldn’t make it to this workday party, but I can’t imagine a nicer workplace sendoff than I had.  Thanks to Janice, Marilyn and Cheska who organized it.