Today is my last Monday at work.  This has been a time of lasts…last session with client, last peer supervision, clearing out my office…and of firsts…first time hefting 50lb bags of carrots at the farm, first time NOT destroying a cardboard box (yes, Ben, pigs have flown), first time in a long time loving early morning runs.  My career of twelve years is coming to an end, or a long-term hiatus.  I don’t know which and won’t know for a long time.  My plan is 6 months by 6 months at this point and then on forever (for those who will get the Peter Pan reference).  Whatever it is, it won’t be the same as it is now.  I know for certain that I won’t return to clinical work full-time or with this high-risk a population.  If I do return it will be part-time at most and maybe in a more vocational counseling role.  Who knows.  The world has changed dramatically since I started as a therapist.  And I’m not sure what my place is in helping right now. It’s not a bad thing, not knowing, but full of possibilities.   

Today was my last peer supervision group.  The group has morphed over the past few years into less of a clinical supervision group to a more peer support group, as we have had to weather significant cuts to our benefits and pay.  They gave me a proper send off, with cheese and crackers, grapes, a lots of laughs.  We are quite an irreverent group and our humor would probably appall some of you.  But it helps us cope with the horrors we hear and see every day. 

The wine pick was suitably appropriate for all kinds of reasons, as you’ll note in the label.  Middle Sister.  Sweet and Sassy.