Adjourning From Groups

Good-byes are always hard; especially if you know that you may never see that person again. AI worked in a textile plant for 10 years. It was my first job in that type of setting. My previous job was in retail. When they announced that they were going to close it wasn’t a shock to us. We knew that the day was coming. Those who had seniority had the opportunity to retire or receive a severance package before the closing day. I was fortunate enough to work until the last day, which made it even harder to say good-bye. The connections and friendships that I made were very special and unique in their own way. Some of the people who started out with me said I wouldn’t make it, but I made it to the end. The mechanics that serviced my machines meant the most to me because they are the reason why I made it to 10 years. They had the patience to teach me things and help me when I fell behind. They taught me shortcuts that no one else knew about. When we had to go our separate ways it was hard because they were close to me. I had a baby during my time spent there and they took care of me during my pregnancy. The last week that we worked we all decided to get together and go out for dinner. That was the time when we shared our stories and said our good-byes. I am so thankful for the social media (facebook).I have managed to reconnect with some of the people who I worked with. When someone takes the timeout of their schedule to show you things just because, it is special. If it had not been for Dan and Woody, I might have lost my job. Believe me, working there was no easy task. The work was intense at times.

The hardest group that I have ever had to say good-bye to is the children that I have spent a whole year with. The time spent with them has been adventurous. Sometimes you want to love them to death, but then there are those not so good days. Nonetheless, they begin to feel like your babies and you hate to see them go. It is important that at the end of the year, you begin the transition. You don’t want them to feel like you are leaving them. I have always had an end of the year celebration in my class after the end of the year celebration for the center. This is something that consist only of my children and families. We celebrate the activities, laughter, and skills learned while they were with me. We sing, dance, and even open gifts. I read a letter to them so that they will know how I feel about them and that they will always be a part of me. Yes! Tears are shed; especially by me. Good-bye is a permanent word, so I chose to use See you later or Until we meet again. We do meet again. I make sure I check on them from time to time. I try to do it after I know they have adjusted to their new environments.

It is important that we adjourn from things because it gives us the chance to express our emotions. It lets the other people know how we feel about them and that we appreciated and enjoyed the time spent together. Sometimes we need to have closure in our lives. If it comes a time when I have to adjourn from the group that I am in, I hope that it will be a celebration. I want to have a lasting impression on the lives that I have touched.