I Hate Goodbyes

Four staffs in our department decided to call it quits. I have had the opportunity of working with three of them in the past so it was quite a shock for me.

JD decided to retire to concentrate on the family business. They started a franchise of a popular sandwich chain a year and a half ago when her husband retired. It was doing very well now. It had been stressful for her because right after work, she'll jump right in at the store and do the bookkeeping. Now she said their business is at a point where they need her presence more than the paycheck she's bringing in. Way to go JD! And thanks for the Wisconsin state quarters, mints, and the business card you left at my desk. I'll keep in touch.

I have long been hearing JC just counting the days so he can finally retire. He's quite well off actually, being a real estate broker and owning a number of properties both in the Philippines and here. It's funny because he's quitting to take care of his grandchildren.... :) He's so smitten by them that when his other son got stationed in Japan with his whole family, he decided he'd follow them to be with his grandson, and taking his other granddaughter along. What a treat!

Lastly, I am closest to AF because we have worked closely together in the past. She's a very nice person, and has resigned to take care of her sick sister - her only family left. Sad because she initially wanted to avail of the family leave but they wouldn't let her since it doesn't cover siblings - only parents and spouse and children. I can see where she's coming from because she'd like to spend as much time as possible to the only family she has left. I truly admire her because she initially took care of her parents when they got sick until the time they passed away. Then came her brother, and now it's her sister. If only there are more caring people like her in the world...

I'm not very good at saying goodbye because I get so affected. When I saw AF before she went off, we were both misty-eyed. Of course we promised to keep in touch. In fact, we're having lunch this Thursday just to catch up. I guess it's the friendship that I'll miss the most because no matter how hard I tried to keep it at a professional level, I can't help but get attached to people.

To all of you, good luck and God bless! 'Til we meet again.