End of an Era

Well I always knew the day would come, but I hoped that somehow, something would be pulled out of the hat, and there would be one more year.  It happened so often in the past, we got just one more year, 5 years worth of them.  But we had to face it, there just wasn't any money!  Then I tried not to think about it, and hoped that if I didn't, the day just wouldn't arrive.  But time and tide wait for no man, and the 31st March finally arrived.

The team I had spent so many happy hours at work with has finally come to an end.  What started in 2005 with one coordinator, and at its peak boasted 7 dedicated staff, with another 4 helping out along the way, has wound down and bowed out.  Today is a very sad day!

We have been affectionately referred to as the A team over the years, and will possibly be remembered not so affectionately by some as the enemy (hehehe).  I hasten to add that these are few and far between, and mainly because we showed what could be done, and it meant they had to work just a bit harder to keep up.

We touched so many peoples lives, and they in turn touched ours.  I don't just mean our 'customers', but their families, other colleagues, people from other organisations and companies, other professionals and the list goes on.  At the risk of sounding cheesy (again), we managed to change peoples lives, some in a relatively small way, and others in a huge way, and pretty much all for the better too.  We made mistakes along the way, but we put our hands up to them, and sorted them out.  Then we learnt from them!

I feel lucky to have been part of the whole experience, and its been an amazing 5 years.  I have come out the other side with several friends I didn't have before, and friends I hope I will have for life.  Its been a hell of a ride at times, but however bad it got, there was always someone to give you a hug and put things into perspective.  In fact at times it wasn't really like a job, it was a social gathering.

There have been a lot of tears over the last couple of days from all of us, especially yesterday and today.  There have also been lots of hugs, and sharing of memories.  I'm sure there will be a few more tears tomorrow when I have to walk past the office knowing they are no longer there.  I shall miss them all so much.  I'll also miss my little sanctuary where I escape to when it all gets too much, I'll have to sit on the loo now.

Over the years the work we achieved received national recognition, gaining awards, and has been copied by authorities across the country.  We managed to save a few bob for the public purse along the way too.  And now the team is sent to the archives of history.  People will talk fondly of the times when the 'A team' was around to pick up the flak,  Like folklore, new faces will hear tell of the things the 'A team' did.  I will eventually stop crying, and when I hear their name, shall smile to myself, and remember how lucky I was to be part of it, how much richer my life is from it, and how much fun we had!

I love you all!

C x x x