"This is not a NYL sponsored event"

"The people you work with are people you were just thrown together with. I mean, you don't know them, it wasn't your choice. And yet you spend more time with them than you do your friends or your family. But probably all you have in common is the fact that you walk around on the same bit of carpet for eight hours a day. And so, obviously, when someone comes in who you have a connection with . . . it can mean a lot."  - Tim from the British version of "The Office"

I planned to leave my job on an ordinary day. March 16th was filled with meetings, phone calls, emails, late-breaking information, and an 8:30pm departure - a typical day in the life. Oddly, I departed through that revolving door for what could be the final time feeling...OK.

I did have my moments. I was unreasonably verklempt sending my last attendance email, which, as usual, I had to be reminded to do. I momentarily lost it in a succession meeting as I handed over the last file folder on my amazing team. It was also touching that after years of responding to her with only a computer-dazed stare and an occasional nod, the late-night cleaning lady seemed sincerely sad when I told her it was my last day. Overall, I was able to keep it together pretty well. Somehow, I am comforted by the fact that it starts all over again tomorrow...and each day from here on out, whether I am a part of it or not. The work gets done, and everything just keeps moving. It is quite liberating actually.

People walk these halls for 20, 30, sometimes 40+ years, so it helps keep in perspective what exactly 27 months means. I partly envision being back in a few years and running into Bob, the mail guy, as he greets me with a casual, "Hey, Erin," completely unaware I had ever been gone. Alas, the future, as well as the cause of the great 1B hallway winds, remains a mystery. There is something refreshingly exciting about that. As my man, Tim, from the original "The Office" closed:

"Life isn't about endings, is it? It's a series of moments...My life is not over. Come back here in ten years. See how I'm doing then. 'Cause I could be married with children, you don't know. Life just goes on."

Extra special thanks to the training team for the camera. We can only hope my camera/editing skills improve.