Flowers for me :)

Hard to believe tomorrow is my very last day at work - I can't wait to leave behind the world of accounting!!!  There are many wonderful people I will miss...but I won't miss the job itself - unless I miss it in the sense of wishing myself back in the land of comfort zone some future day when I find myself overwhelmed by ministry and clueless as to what to do next!  But no...not even then will I miss accounting! :)

This morning I had a forecast meeting with my Director (Marianne) and Deputy Minister (Kevin).  At the end of the meeting, Kevin thanked me for all I've done for the department, and let me know how much he has enjoyed working with me.  He said he didn't think I was really going to leave - at which point Marianne interjected with "I've been telling you that for six months!"  Kevin replied that he's been in denial, and kept thinking I was going to change my mind.  He also said I had made it hard for him to gripe about my leaving...said something along the lines of "you're going to do God's work, I can't be giving you grief."  I laughed and told him I'd come back and smite him if he gave me a hard time!  He had more lovely things to say, how I have always risen to the challenge every time they have asked me to step into an acting role or whatever, and what a great job I did with the United Way campaign, and that my departure is a big loss to our department.  But also that he understands that I need to go where I am called to be, and he knows I will be wonderful in ministry.  And then he gave me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers, and a hug, and said "now get out of here before I cry."

I was very touched and delighted by all of this, as you can imagine! :)  It really is great to hear that you've made a positive impact in your job, and in the lives of those with whom you've worked.  I said to Valerie recently that I need to leave places more often, because it is good for my ego!  I have been surprised and deeply moved by some of the conversations I've had lately...people are expressing their goodbyes with the loveliest of comments.  Apparently I smile a lot and have a presence which lifts people's spirits, and that seems to be what people are going to miss most about me...which is a pretty awesome and empowering thing to know about oneself.  I'm not even going to pretend I'm not tickled pink to be seeing myself through all these eyes!!







Here I am with my pretty flowers...