"Parting is such sweet sorrow."

However cliche it may sound, you really don't know how much you appreciate someone until they are about to leave. One of my co-workers (B) who has been with the company a couple of more years than I have will be leaving next week as her husband is in the Air Force and is getting transferred.

We had one last grand hurrah for her after work today at a local bar/restaurant - only non-senior staff were invited. Drinks were plentiful, food was available for those with hearty appetites, and fun was had by all, especially around the pool table. I got in a couple of games and did ok considering I play pool *maybe* twice a year. Now if they had darts, that would be a different story.

As a member of the group I work in, B is probably one of the hardest working people you'll ever meet. She's often one of the first to arrive at work and the last to leave. Losing her from our group will definitely impact our team and it will be sad to see her go. She's also one of the nicest people I know, and although I never got "chummy" with her, she was always very personable. I know that most of the people in the office will miss her when she's gone. The company is throwing her a farewell luncheon on Friday and I suspect there will be some teary eyes that day.

It's at times like this when our regrets begin to surface. I for one, regret the fact that I didn't get to know her better while she was here. Only recently did I find out that her and her husband own a substantial piece of land in NW Arkansas and have plans to fix up the house out there and raise animals once he retires in four years. That has always been a dream of Jen's and I sure wish I talked to her more about that. I suppose the upside is that she'll be back to Arkansas in four years and could potentially work in our NW Arkansas office then.

So I suppose it's not really a permanent farewell, as we'll see her if and when she comes back to visit. But the loss of her presence and work ethic will be felt for a long time to come. I wish her well on this next journey she is about to embark on, and look forward to seeing her again someday.