Endings

ER. Last episode. I didn't regularly watch the show. But it's sad seeing it come to an end.

Active Voice. Last day for the company was this past Tuesday. I've been a faithful employee for over thirteen years. Very sad seeing it all come to an end.

Fiscal year end. It's been non-stop working this entire week. I'm such a loyal freak of an employee working so many hours, late at night and in the wee hours of the morning. I'll be so happy when tomorrow comes and the week comes to an end.

All those old coworkers of mine. Such a weird feeling to see people I've worked with for over ten years leave the company. A few of them I hardly knew, but most of them I've seen for over a decade. Many more of us will be gone in the coming months but I'm excited for the new opportunities after it all ends.

...

My HR manager of two years asked me to walk with her to her car on her last day. She called me out of a department lunch (pizza... mmmmmmmm). She got to leave at noon. Hope I'll be able to do that. Anyhoo, she merely waved goodbye to everyone in the room as we both walked to her honkin huge gas guzzler. She just needed me to grab her parking permit from the garage and bring back to the office. We get to her car, she grabs the permit, hands it to me, then says, "Alright... gimme a hug..."

Awwwww... shucks!

That was really nice.

Another coworker, from Marketing, comes by my office to say her goodbye. We've been friends for years but I've never ever given her a hug. I was sittin the whole time, chatting for a awhile, then I apologize and say I'd better get back to work. She's like, "Alright..." then makes the I'm-gonna-give-you-a-hug motion!!! Awesome. Hugs goodbye!!!

Just 'cause I don't initiate hugs, people assume I'm not a hugger. Wrong. I love me a good hug. Of course, only from people I like. I'm no hug whore. The day people left, I made it a point to visit our Accounting Manager. In the past, she's said stuff to me like, "Oh yeah... you don't like to be touched" whenever she's had to make physical contact with me. You know... like when I'm accidentally in her way meor when she's wanted to give me a punch for being a smartass.

I tell her, "Now, Kathy... when you leave in June, I just want to tell you... I'm going to be expecting a hug! People don't think I like to give hugs. Wrong. I'm a total hugger. I just don't initiate. I respect women's personal space and just don't want to violate that. I guess I'm weird like that... but, you know, when your last day comes, there's gonna be a hug!"

Ha! That made her laugh! We have both been so stressed this week and, despite her snapping at me a couple of times, I'm really going to miss her and the good team we've made the past couple of years. Only two years older than my mom, she's been quite a joy to be around... despite any complaints I've had in the past. :)