Retiring

Because I was busy this evening, we had our farewell drinks last week. I didn't want speeches or ceremony or emotion so today was just supposed to be tea and cake before I walked calmly downstairs and out of the door for the last time. But I didn't bank on my colleagues. Flowers and a huge card and then... I now know what it is to be speechless. They pulled one of the tatty bits of paper off the door of the room I commandeered two years ago to start an employment service for refugees, and revealed a plaque naming the room after me.

I am not responsible for these pictures. I am responsible for the full gamut of emotions here and in extras.

Colleague N (erstwhile freedom fighter) and me crying onto each other's shoulders were not spotted by the camera.