Free at Last, Free at Last...

At approximately 12:10 p.m. this afternoon, I walked out of my workplace - as an employee - for the last time.

My supervisor finally pissed me off to the point of no return two weeks ago today; my two-week notice was in her hand the Monday that followed. My timing was quite fortunate, as she's been on vacation this past week so I didn't have to deal with her during my final week there. That was an added bonus.

I was happy to go, almost ecstatic. Knowing I only had 10 more days made me feel like a kid counting down the final weeks of school. It was a relief to realize I didn't have to endure the soul-crushing boredom, to realize I could finally walk away from some of these people whom I had allowed to cause me such grief.

I hate fanfare and wanted to just quietly slip out the door, but I had to let a few parishioners know that I had submitted my resignation, so they would know to direct their inquiries to someone else in the office. I pretty much figured that word would spread (which it did), and I received many glowing accolades from the folks who had come to appreciate my presence. It was a nice ego boost - I didn't really require one, but it was welcome just the same.

Imagine my surprise when tears came during my final chat with the big boss, during a final hug with a coworker. Despite needing desperately to leave that place, I did make some connections that I'll miss - good things that weren't extinguished by all the crap that took place. It's nice to know I can keep those pieces separate, that I've refused to allow the good memories to be tarnished by lumping them in with the bad.

It hasn't quite hit me yet that I'm unemployed. I'm sure it will either happen upon me slowly or it will come in a sudden rush, and I'll panic for a while, and then I'll settle back down.

I knew there would be changes in the wind this year. Quitting my job, enrolling in school [no, I haven't written about that here, but I've enrolled in a class for the Fall semester]. Scary changes, to be sure, but positively necessary ones.

Now I'm free.