For good

It is perhaps a little known fact that I love musicals.  I still recall the excitement of being in middle school and seeing my first one--and while I have not actually *seen*  all too many, I know several soundtracks by heart.  Though, perhaps my all-time favorite thus far is Wicked.  And it is a song from that musical that sparks my entry for today.

Today marked my 8th anniversary with my current employer.  It is the place I have worked the longest and also the place that I will be leaving in just two weeks.  And while my departure is becoming somewhat amorphous with the opportunity to remain on part time for an undefined amount of time, I am grateful for the countless opportunities that have been afford me there.  

Over the past two weeks, I have spent a little time each day going through my office things and seeing what could be discarded.  Years of files, articles, handouts, training documents--cards from past clients--things that at the time seemed so important to hold onto.  And now, I realize that much of it must stay behind in this place as memories.

I've been reminded through several conversations and instances lately of the fragility of life--that all things eventually come to an end, this side of eternity.  Things and people that once seemed as though they were fixtures eventually are taken down or move on--and as was said today, we are all replaceable.  Interestingly, the person who said this, was the same individual who sadly had to spend the first half of our relationship trying to convince me that to her I was not replaceable.  And yet, today, I was able to matter-of-factly respond--"Yes, I know I am replaceable".  And indeed I am--to an extent.  Yet, there will never be another just like you or just like me...

So yes, eventually there will be someone complete the tasks that I once managed...as it should be, but they will not be me.  I have learned to separate my worth from what it is that I do.

I've heard it said,
That people come into our lives
For a reason
Bringing something we must learn.
And we are led to those
Who help us most to grow if we let them.
And we help them in return.
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you.
Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun,
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood.
Who can say if I've been changed for the better
But because I knew you.
I have been changed for good.

It is without question, that I am no longer the same person as I was when I started there eight years ago and I have met people who have most certainly changed my life "for the good".