Thursday, May 20, 2010

The End Of An Era


My very favourite & most long-standing client J. is retiring from practice today. He doesn't want a fuss, so we are gathering for a lunch to ostensibly celebrate his birthday. When I first started this role 20 years ago, his reputation preceded him. I was told by everyone that if I didn't know my 'stuff' he would eat me up & spit me out. So I made an appointment to see him & then spent the next week with my nose firmly stuck in every clinical paper & journal article he'd ever written, desperately trying to memorize their content. On the morning of the dreaded visit, I was physically shaking & still remember the feeling like it was yesterday.... I was really, really scared!

And just as expected he grilled me on highly technical data & complex clinical applications. At the end of an hour he stood up, extended his hand across the desk, looked at me with his twinkling blue, blue eyes & said 'Well Millie, I think you & I will get along just fine.' And from that moment we have. He is a brilliant Clinician & Academic & we have travelled together to many overseas Conferences, enjoying each other's company immensely. We have had our 'moments' over the years, but the admiration & respect I have for this lovely, lovely man will go on forever. A quiet achiever who eschews the limelight, today he just wants to do his final list, care for his last patient & quietly walk away. As much as we will try not to, I think those of us at lunch today will struggle to keep our emotions in check, I hope he will understand if I need to fossick around in my handbag for a Kleenex or 5. I will miss him so much, but wish him & his dear wife M. many happy days ahead, relaxing & enjoying what life has to offer them after a lifetime of care & service to others.


Image: Natrea

10 comments:

  1. He sounds wonderful Millie, so as sad as it is to say goodbye, you'll know that he's ready to take some time for him, which I suspect is very well deserved. Make sure those tissues are packed and ready! K xx

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  2. what a lovely tribute millie. and with that spirit you have enhanced his life too.

    ps; saw your headline and said to myself "NO.....not millie!" thought you too were ending your blog...whew!
    debra

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  3. Isn't it wonderful that there are people like this in our world - humble, caring individuals? The ones who are content to stay in the background and do their best for all of us. What a treasure it is for you to have been able to know him; it will be worth every tear you shed!

    And aren't I the lucky one, too - I married one of these exceptional people...

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  4. He sounds like a great individuals/co-worker. I really wish we had more individuals like him within the workplace, etc.

    Best of luck to he and his fam!

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  5. A lovely post Millie. How fortunate you and he were to work together.
    Deborah

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  6. Hi Millie,

    I enjoyed reading the beautiful tribute to your work colleague.
    You obviously made a great team.
    Wishing him all the very best in the future.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  7. I love hearing about special people like this. Lucky you for having worked with him. Did you ever tell him how terrified you were at that first meeting?
    Clare x

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  8. Beautifully written Mills. It is so sad to say goodbye, as sometimes things just don't seem the same without them...
    I hope you had enough tissues mate, and just to let you know, I had to go and get one after reading your post, as I got a little teary for you. (obviously NOT a sensitive time of the month for me at all!!)
    Chin up,
    Flick :)

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  9. Oh my...You do have a lot of goodbyes in your life lately - your neighbors and now a valued collegue / friend.

    He sounds like a gem, a true old-fashioned guy to just ride of quietly into the sunset. Sigh!

    Best of luck to him.

    Smiles

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  10. That amidst all the things that trouble this world, there are precious human beings like your client J out there is what lifts us up and brightens our days. May he enjoy a long and happy retirement!

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And none will hear the postman's knock
Without a quickening of the heart.
For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?
~W.H. Auden

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