Pegleg Starfish

Today I distributed my “goodbye” letter to the residents telling them that I am leaving.  I’m getting all kinds of mixed emotions from anger, sadness, excitement, shock, and even physical illness.  A few have said that they are “just sick” about me leaving. 

I’m taking it all as a big, huge compliment!  The fact that they will miss me means that I have done my job very well.  I feel like I’ve really become family with some of the residents and there are a handful of them that I truly have come to know and love.  When I first started this job, I wasn’t expecting to become so attached to the residents. 

I’m sure over the next few work days (my last day is next Wednesday) I will be seeing many tears and getting lots of hugs. 

I wanted to share my letter that I wrote for them with all of you. 

I hope that it gets my message across in a positive way.  Only time will tell. 

 10/02/2008

To:  The Residents of ————————-

From:  Julie -Resident Program Coordinator

Dear Friends,

I want to take this moment to let you know that I am going to be leaving ———.  I have accepted a position with a non-profit organization in the Houston area.  I felt as if it was time to move on and gain some more work experience in my very early professional career.  My last day at ——— will be October 8^th. 

I am leaving here with a heavy heart.  I love each and every one of you as if you were part of my own family.  I am so thankful for the opportunity to get to know so many of you.  You each have an intriguing background and I feel like I have learned a lot about life from the stories and advice that you have offered me throughout the last year.  Each one of you has taught me a lesson in life.

When I think about the past year here, one word that comes to mind is: Proud.  I am PROUD of the work that I have accomplished in my short time here.  xxxxxand I started with a program that was in need of some serious help.  Over the past year we have worked to create an activity program that we are proud of and one that you enjoy taking part in.  I feel great about the progress that we have made and the participation that we have seen from all of you.  I encourage each and every one of you to take full advantage of the activity program that has been designed for you! 

I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you have given to me over the past year.  Words cannot express my gratitude towards you for welcoming me into your community and making me feel like a part of your family.  I will miss all of you so much, but I do plan to come back and visit when my schedule allows.  Please feel free to email me or send correspondence via xxxxx.  I know that the friendships that I have gained while at ——– will last a lifetime. 

I also want to say thank you to my fellow employees.  There are so many employees at ———- who are truly passionate about their job and the people that they serve.  Please know that the people who work for you, truly have your best interest in mind.  They care about each and every one of you as if you were members of their own family.  That caring attitude is hard to come by. 

Please don’t be sad about my resignation.  I don’t want you to throw me a farewell party as it will not be our last goodbye.  I am only requesting your well wishes as I move into a new part of my early career.    

Thanks for everything!  Please keep in touch!

Julie

Some of the residents are very understanding of why I have chosen to move into a new job, others not so much.  They know that I love my job and cannot understand why on Earth I would want to leave.  And others think that I am leaving my career to go off, get married, and make babies.  What an ancient thought!  But that is exactly what they did.  Started a job, met their husbands and were ordered to quit the jobs so they could become a baby machine. 

Now don’t get all touchy feely on me.  There are some residents that I absolutely despise!  Like the old man who smacked me on the butt.  He could fall off the face of the planet for all I care. 

But really, for the most part, I love them and will miss them dearly. 

TGIF YALL! 

*My Hunny is coming home tomorrow!  I’m so excited!