Time travel
Yesterday evening I went to a retirement function at my old old work (i.e., two jobs ago). The function was for a much loved and highly respected former colleague. I was really touched to be invited, given that it was a good 6-7 years ago that I left there.
I let Isabelle know my plans (that I would drop her and Aidan off to Brendon's work, and that they would go home with him while I stayed out). She expressed an interest in going with me, and I decided that that would be fine. Later, I began to see that there were indeed many advantages to this arrangement. Given the passage of time, I might not know anyone - with Isabelle I would have someone to talk to and a good excuse to depart early!
We arrived on time, and as expected, I did not really know anyone there. It was lovely to see and be remembered by one of the receptionists - a very friendly woman who I always enjoyed chatting to when I had cause to pass by the reception desk in the past. Little by little I saw a few familiar faces (some people took a couple of minutes to remember why I looked so familiar, I think!). Isabelle was duly impressed by the food table, and made short work of finding the marshmellows and strawberries plate.
It is always odd to go back in time for a little. I had two very visible reminders of how much my life had changed since I worked there - Isabelle, and my visible pregnant belly! And when I mentioned that actually I had a son too who was with his father, I could see that other people had not really realised just how many years had passed since I had moved on.
Isabelle and I went early before the formalities. I would have been very happy to stay on and hear the speeches, but she was ready to go and I was comfortable with that. (I checked first to see what the schedule was!). We went looking for some pink summer sheets for Isabelle's bed (unsuccessfully, but it is very important that they are pink - no substitutes allowed!). We went home on the bus, and were back in time for a takeaway tea with the boys.
I'm very glad I went. I enjoyed catching up, albeit briefly, with some former colleagues. And I very much enjoyed farewelling the man in whose honour the function was held, meeting his wife and showing some of the love and respect which I hold him in. We truly tread some difficult paths together. He is one of those people who has really touched my life and who I will always remember.
Haere ra e te matua. And enjoy your retirement!
I let Isabelle know my plans (that I would drop her and Aidan off to Brendon's work, and that they would go home with him while I stayed out). She expressed an interest in going with me, and I decided that that would be fine. Later, I began to see that there were indeed many advantages to this arrangement. Given the passage of time, I might not know anyone - with Isabelle I would have someone to talk to and a good excuse to depart early!
We arrived on time, and as expected, I did not really know anyone there. It was lovely to see and be remembered by one of the receptionists - a very friendly woman who I always enjoyed chatting to when I had cause to pass by the reception desk in the past. Little by little I saw a few familiar faces (some people took a couple of minutes to remember why I looked so familiar, I think!). Isabelle was duly impressed by the food table, and made short work of finding the marshmellows and strawberries plate.
It is always odd to go back in time for a little. I had two very visible reminders of how much my life had changed since I worked there - Isabelle, and my visible pregnant belly! And when I mentioned that actually I had a son too who was with his father, I could see that other people had not really realised just how many years had passed since I had moved on.
Isabelle and I went early before the formalities. I would have been very happy to stay on and hear the speeches, but she was ready to go and I was comfortable with that. (I checked first to see what the schedule was!). We went looking for some pink summer sheets for Isabelle's bed (unsuccessfully, but it is very important that they are pink - no substitutes allowed!). We went home on the bus, and were back in time for a takeaway tea with the boys.
I'm very glad I went. I enjoyed catching up, albeit briefly, with some former colleagues. And I very much enjoyed farewelling the man in whose honour the function was held, meeting his wife and showing some of the love and respect which I hold him in. We truly tread some difficult paths together. He is one of those people who has really touched my life and who I will always remember.
Haere ra e te matua. And enjoy your retirement!
posted by Mary at 8:04 pm
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